Texans’ Franchise QB Back Throwing After OTA Scare
Houston Texans fans can finally exhale. After a wave of concern swept through the city over
C.J. Stroud’s shoulder injury, the latest reports confirm the star quarterback is back on the field and throwing at mandatory minicamp, putting to rest fears of a lingering issue heading into the 2025 NFL season.
What Sparked the Panic?
The drama began during Texans’ Organized Team Activities (OTAs) when Stroud was notably absent from throwing drills. Reports quickly surfaced that the 2023 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year was dealing with
shoulder soreness, possibly aggravated by weightlifting and throwing—a combination that had fans and media speculating about the severity and long-term implications for the Texans’ franchise centerpiece.
Social media and sports talk shows lit up with speculation, with some even suggesting Stroud was struggling to lift his arm. The Texans, typically tight-lipped about injuries, offered little detail, fueling the rumor mill and anxiety among the fanbase.
The Real Story: Soreness, Not Serious Injury
Insiders close to the team, including Houston sports reporters and plugged-in NFL analysts, clarified that Stroud’s issue was
general muscle soreness in the shoulder, not a structural injury. According to Aaron Wilson, a respected Texans insider, the soreness was “exacerbated by weightlifting combined with throwing,” but was never considered a major concern by the team’s medical staff.
The Texans’ approach was cautious: rest Stroud during OTAs, monitor his recovery, and ensure he’s
100% for training camp. As one local commentator put it, “His shoulder’s sore. He’s not throwing till the shoulder’s not sore. That’s it.”
Back in Action at Minicamp
The turning point came when Stroud was spotted
throwing at mandatory minicamp, signaling his recovery is on track. While the Texans haven’t declared him “100%,” all signs point to Stroud being ready for the start of training camp, and there’s no indication of a setback or long-term issue.
Former Texans player Seth Payne even joked about the overblown rumors, noting that Stroud was seen “shooting 3’s at an event in Houston,” hardly the behavior of someone with a debilitating shoulder injury.
Should Texans Fans Still Worry?
While Stroud has a history of playing through shoulder issues dating back to his Ohio State days, he’s never missed significant time due to injury. The Texans’ medical staff and coaching team appear confident that this latest episode is nothing more than a minor offseason hiccup.
Still, some analysts urge caution, pointing out that any shoulder issue for a quarterback is worth monitoring, especially given Stroud’s importance to the Texans’ future. But for now, the panic appears to be over, and the focus shifts back to football.
What’s Next for Stroud and the Texans?
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Stroud is expected to be fully ready for training camp.
- The Texans will likely continue to manage his workload and monitor his shoulder throughout the preseason.
- Fans and media will be watching closely, but for now, the franchise QB is back where he belongs—on the field, leading the offense.
Takeaway
The C.J. Stroud injury scare was real, but the crisis was overblown. With Stroud back throwing and the Texans downplaying any long-term concerns, Houston can look forward to a healthy QB1 as the 2025 season approaches.
Sources
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5. Hallelujah! It Looks Like CJ Stroud's Injury Is NBD ... - YouTube
6. Texans' C.J. Stroud paused after hitting his head on the ground -
7. CJ Stroud Injury News & Updates - OddsTrader
8. C.J. Stroud Injury Update & Texans O-Line Changes - YouTube
9. NFL Media SLAMS C.J. Stroud… Can The Texans QB Bounceback ...
