Pretty much as good as Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud has been early in his NFL profession, he’ll should be even higher in 2025.
On Monday, ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reported that Texans working again Joe Mixon (ankle) might be moved to the reserve/non-football harm checklist by Tuesday’s 4 p.m. ET deadline for groups to chop rosters to 53 gamers. With the designation, Mixon will not have the ability to play till Week 5 on the earliest.
His absence places extra weight on Stroud’s shoulders as he enters his third season as Houston’s beginning quarterback. After having one of many league’s worst offensive strains final season, his dashing assault might be simply as detrimental this yr.
Mixon, who was acquired in a March 2024 commerce with the Cincinnati Bengals for a seventh-round choose, had 245 carries, 1,016 dashing yards and 11 dashing touchdowns in his first season with the Texans. He added 309 yards on 36 receptions (8.6 yards per catch) and was named to the Professional Bowl for the second time in his profession.
Nick Chubb, who averaged a career-low 3.3 yards per carry in his return from a 2023 season-ending
torn ACL, is about to fill in as RB1 whereas Mixon is sidelined.
Stroud, the No. 2 total choose of the 2023 NFL Draft, was named Related Press Offensive Rookie of the 12 months two seasons in the past, main the Texans to a 10-7 document and AFC South title after the franchise had gained 11 video games from 2020-22.
The Texans plateaued final season, going 10-7 for the second consecutive yr and seeing the younger quarterback taking extra sacks and throwing extra interceptions in 12 months 2 than 12 months 1.
Stroud wasn’t totally responsible for his struggles, with the offensive line taking part in a distinguished position, prompting the entrance workplace to overtake the unit throughout the offseason.
Mixon’s harm threatens to derail Houston’s run sport, which might make Strou
d and the aerial assault extra vital to the staff’s success.
The Texans nonetheless managed to win the AFC South in 2024 regardless of the offensive line’s shortcomings, and primarily based on how weak the division is, they need to be a severe contender to repeat this season. Mixon’s harm complicates issues, nevertheless it additionally provides Stroud a chance to fortify himself as Houston’s franchise quarterback.
After final season, he must be used to the stress.
