C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans
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C.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans drops back to pass against the Los Angeles Rams.
The Houston Texans dropped their first game of the 2025 regular season, losing 14-9 to the Los Angeles Rams on the road. In a game he will surely want back, third-year quarterback C.J. Stroud made no bones about the implications of their performance.
Stroud was hardly innocent in the Texans’ issues, which led to some criticism online.
The 2023 Pro Bowler and Offensive Rookie of the Year knows that the Texans will not win many games this season if they are not better in future outings.
C.J. Stroud Points Finger at Self After Rough Week 1 Outing
C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans
GettyJared Verse #8 of the Los Angeles Rams reacts in front of C.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans.
After the game, reporters asked how Stroud would use Sunday’s results as motivation. Stroud said that it was “kind of obvious” that self-inflicted issues were the culprit. Stroud believes the loss is a “good wake-up call” for the Texans, who still have at least 16 more games to play.
He also said that improvement starts with him.
Stroud’s interception came on an attempt to rookie second-round pick Jayden Higgins. Rams cornerback Cobie Durant wrestled the ball away, giving LA possession near midfield.
“We can’t shoot ourselves in the foot consistently and expect to win, and that starts with me with a lot of different things. I got to get rid of the ball better and use my legs, maybe, a little more. But, yeah, I think there’s a lot of hope still. We did a lot of good things. It’s a really good defense,” Stroud told reporters on September 7. “It’s a really good team, but I definitely think we could have won. But you can shoulda, woulda, coulda all day. We didn’t deserve to win that game because we didn’t do the right things.
“When you come out NFL lolly gagging and … going through the motions, that kind of happened. So, I think we’ll be all right. But I think it’s a good wake-up call for us.”
Texans HC DeMeco Ryans ‘Proud’ of C.J. Stroud
C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans
GettyC.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans scrambles for yards against the Los Angeles Rams.
Stroud completed 19 of his 27 pass attempts for 188 yards, 0 touchdowns, and the 1 interception in the Texans’ loss to the Rams.
He also took three sacks on the night against a vaunted Rams pass rush that features the reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year, Jared Verse, as the Texans reshuffled their offensive line several times due to injuries.
Perhaps due to the circumstances, Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans was “proud” of his QB.
“I thought C.J. played really nice. He made some nice plays for us,” Ryans told reporters on September 7, citing the end of the first half in a two-minute situation, calling it “very impressive,” and citing Stroud scrambling.
Stroud had 32 yards (more than he had in all but one game last season) on five carries.
“Really heads-up play, smart play by him,” Ryans said of Stroud. “Really managed the offense well, made some nice throws, and, unfortunately, we came up short. He made some nice plays under pressure. They got us on a few as well, but that happens. But I’m really proud of the way C.J. played.”
Stroud said postgame that he tries to “use my athleticism the best I can,” which could be more common next week.
Texans OL Injuries Loom Large
C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans
GettyC.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans scrambles against the Los Angeles Rams.
Stroud was supposed to have Texans rookie second-round pick Aireontae Ersery at left tackle alongside veterans (from left to right) Laken Tomlinson at left guard, center Jake Andrews, right guard Ed Ingram, and Tytus Howard holding down right tackle.
Ingram was inactive with an abdominal injury, which forced Ersery to RT and Cam Robinson, whom the rookie replaced on the left side, back into that spot.
Then Robinson got hurt, and Ersery returned to the left side with Blake Fisher moving into RT.
It got even more dire for the Texans from there, though, as Andrews suffered an injury that required him to be carted off. Jarrett Patterson stepped in for Andrews, who is set to go for an MRI this week, per KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson, after suffering what Ryans called a “foot injury.”
#Texans forced to shuffle line again with Cam Robinson injured. Blake Fisher in at right tackle. Aireontae Ersery goes to left tackle from right tackle @KPRC2 and now Jake Andrews injured and Jarrett Patterson into the game at center pic.twitter.com/sboe3s7eO4
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) September 7, 2025
The Texans’ contingency plan likely accounts for one, and possibly even two absences from starters. Missing and/or reshuffling multiple players is a lofty ask, even with a week to prepare.
Next up, Stroud and the Texans will host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in their home opener.