As the Houston Texans enter the second week of OTAs, fans have wondered what’s been going on with third-year quarterback CJ Stroud.
Last week, Aaron Wilson of KPRC-2 reported that Stroud wasn’t throwing at OTAs due to a tight shoulder muscle. However, that wasn't coming directly from the team, who was mostly mum on the situation.
With Stroud not throwing, it has allowed Davis Mills to get extended reps as he’s entering the last year of his contract. That said, Texans fans would love to hear that Stroud will be throwing at OTAs or mandatory minicamp.
On Tuesday, Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans met with reporters to provide clarity on what’s happening with Stroud. According to ESPN’s DJ Bien-Aime, Ryans said the young quarterback is dealing with “general soreness” involving his throwing shoulder, and they’re taking precautions.
#Texans HC DeMeco Ryans says CJ Stroud is dealing with “general soreness” regarding his throwing shoulder they’re taking precaution.
— DJ Bien-Aime (@Djbienaime) June 3, 2025
As you can imagine, some Texans fans did not like hearing that news from Ryans. However, it's only June, and the hope is this isn’t something that lingers. At the same time, anytime you hear a shoulder and a quarterback, it's concerning.
Stroud was seen a few days ago at a charity basketball game in Houston putting up some shots from behind the three-point line, so his shoulder has to be somewhat okay.
With mandatory minicamp only a week away, it would be shocking to see Stroud throwing since he hasn’t done it at OTAs. Therefore, the next opportunity for Stroud would be at training camp next month.
Texans fans hope Stroud is throwing by that time or even sooner, as this team has the talent to win the AFC South again and make a deep run in the NFL playoffs. The former first-round pick completed 63.2 percent of his passes for 3,727 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions last season. He also added 233 rushing yards.