Tag: C.J. Stroud

Texans vs. Chiefs inactives: Who is out for Houston in divisional round

Here’s who is out for the Houston Texans in Saturday’s divisional round matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Houston Texans are relatively healthy heading into Saturday’s divisional round showdown against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.

Linebacker Devin White headlines the list of inactive players for the Texans. While linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, wide receiver Robert Woods and running back Joe Mixon were all listed as questionable, the trio of names will take the field at 3:30 p.m.

For Kansas City, offensive tackle Wanya Morris is the top name out for Saturday’s matchup. Defensive back Deon Bush and tackle Ethan Driskell also aren’t expected to play.

The Texans are riding high after their defense forced Los Angeles Chargers QB Justin Herbert into throwing four interceptions during last week’s wild-card round win. That could bode well for a Texans defensive unit facing Patrick Mahomes, DeAndre Hopkins and Travis Kelce.

C.J. Stroud’s sophomore slump took a backseat last week as he led all passing with 289 yards and a touchdown. Mixon’s 17-yard scramble in the fourth quarter put the game away while Derek Stingley Jr. iced it with his second interception.

The Texans look to average their December loss to the Chiefs, while Kansas City looks to keep their playoff win streak rolling on Saturday. With a win, the Texans would advance to the conference championship for the first time in franchise history.

With a win, Kanas City could advance to the conference championship for the seventh consecutive postseason. With a victory next week, the Chiefs would return to the Super Bowl for the third straight season and fifth time in six seasons.

Here are the inactive players for the Chiefs:

  • OT CJ Hanson
  • OT Ethan Driskell
  • DE Malik Herring
  • DE Joshua Uche
  • S Deon Bush
  • CB Keith Taylor
  • OL Wanya Morris

Here is the inactive list for the Texans:

  • OL Nick Broeker
  • DE Jerry Hughes
  • LB Devin White
  • RB J.J. Taylor
  • C Kendrick Green
  • DT Kurt Hinish
Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. CT. The game will be nationally televised on ESPN and ABC.

C.J. Stroud salary: How much money did Texans QB make this season?

Here’s how much Houston #Texans QB C.J. Stroud earned during the 2024-2025 season.

Star quarterback C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans are set to face the Kansas City Chiefs in the divisional round of the AFC playoffs after demolishing the Los Angeles Chargers in the wild-card round last week.

How much did Stroud earn in the 2024-2025 season?

C.J. Stroud 2024-2025 salary

Stroud was drafted by the Texans in 2023 and signed a 4-year, $36,279,243 fully guaranteed contract that came with a generous signing bonus of $23,384,904.

His base salary in 2024 was somewhat low at $915,000. He was also paid a roster bonus of $1,484,057 which made his total pay for the season $2,399,057.

Stoud’s total cap hit amounted to $8,245,283, per Spotrac. While his pay for 2024 was not massive, his gigantic signing bonus from 2023 inflates his yearly hit to Houston’s cap, of which he took up 3.23% in 2024.

How much will C.J. Stroud make next season?

His contract dictates his base salary will be $1,030,000 and Stroud will take home a roster bonus of $3,018,113 to bring his total pay for the season to $4,048,113.

WATCH: Texans fans send off team to Arrowhead Stadium ahead of divsional round

The Houston Texans fans let it be known how excited they are for a showdown against the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Houston Texans look to make history on Saturday at Arrowhead Stadium by taking down the top-ranked Kansas City Chiefs.

With a victory, Houston would advance to its first-ever conference championship appearance in franchise history. Entering Saturday’s showdown against Patrick Mahomes and Co., Houston is 0-5 in the second game of the postseason.

There’s been bad juju with the Texans and Chiefs over the past five seasons. Everyone remembers the last time these two AFC contenders met in the divisional round and how it marked the beginning of a dynasty for one roster and the fall for another.

Houston jumped out to a first-quarter 24-0 lead before allowing 27 unanswered points in the second. The Chiefs would keep the momentum en route to a 51-31 victory and eventual Super Bowl title three weeks later.

But it’s a new age of Texans’ football. Fans believe this season can be different. Here they are reacting to the team’s departure from NRG Stadium and off to Kansas City.

Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon also tweeted out a thank you following the team’s departure.

Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. CT. The game will be nationally televised on ESPN and ABC.

Texans QB C.J. Stroud breaks down emotions returning to Arrowhead Stadium

Houston Texans QB C.J. Stroud understands there’s an emotional return heading back to Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday.

C.J. Stroud understands that his emotions could run high when the Houston Texans take the field at Arrowhead Stadium.

How could they not for the second-year quarterback? The last time he was here, Houston watched as wide receiver Tank Dell was carted off with a season-ending knee injury.

Not only is Dell Stroud’s best friend, but he’s a constant force in the passing game. And barring a speedy recovery, Dell isn’t expected back until potentially 2026.

But the Texans are more than Dell. They’re more than Stroud. They’re also more than a doormat or “final practice” for Kansas City en route to a sixth consecutive AFC championship appearance.

So Stroud knows that even with Dell in his heart, a victory is the top thing on his mind. That the motivation needed for Houston to strike.

“We’ve got to go do it for him away in the same stadium he got hurt. We’ve got to find a way to not get emotional and channel that,” Stroud said Tuesday. “I think we’ll be able to do that. It will be more inspiring than anything, and we’ll try to get it done for him.”

Looking back, Dell’s injury was the turning point in Week 16’s 27-19 loss. Houston pulled within a point after the 30-yard score with 11:40 left in the third quarter. Medical assistance slowed down the game, but the severity of the play slowed down Houston’s momentum.

Ka’imi Fairbairn missed the PAT to make it 17-16. Two drives later, Chiefs rookie receiver Xavier Worthy punched in an 8-yard touchdown as Kansas City coasted.

The offense struggled the rest of the afternoon, totaling 39 yards on three drives that resulted in a pair of three-and-outs.

Dell won’t make the trip with Houston to Arrowhead, but he did stop by to see the team before Saturday’s win over the Chargers. He was on crutches while wearing a large brace around his knee on the sidelines during pregame, but it seems like he was in high spirits.

That jolted life into the locker room, according to Stroud. Three hours later, Houston was moving on after a double-digit victory.

“Tank means a lot to our team. As you see with the guys, seeing him on the sideline, seeing the T-shirts, it’s real love,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said.  “And everybody loves Tank. And I love Tank. We miss him”

With a win, the Texans would advance to their first conference championship appearance in franchise history. Even as an 8-point underdog, most fans believe beating the Chiefs is an easier path than traveling to take on the Buffalo Bills or Baltimore Ravens.

Stroud said the offense has to be on its “A-game” to secure a win. The margin of error is thin against the back-to-back Super Bowl champions.

“This team is really motivated to go out there and play some good ball against a great Kansas City team that’s been in these moments forever,” Strous said. “We know it’s going to take all of us.”

Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. The game will be nationally televised on ESPN and ABC.

Texans QB C.J. Stroud delivers plan on how to defeat Chiefs

The Houston Texans have to believe first that a win is on the horizon against the Kansas City Chiefs.

There’s a plan for Houston Texans to pull off a feat that only Tom Brady and Joe Burow have accomplished since 2018.

Once January rolls around, the Kansas City Chiefs look unstoppable. Well, Patrick Mahomes at least does since he’s only lost twice in the AFC playoffs since being named the starting quarterback in 2018.

Three times if you include the Super Bowl.

Everything starts with correcting the little things. The Texans (11-7) eliminated their self-inflicting wounds during the second half of Saturday’s wild-card round win over the Los Angeles Chargers.

There also has to be an internal buy-in. Houston is one of seven teams remaining in the hut for a Super Bowl. That should be motivation enough.

“You usually don’t play that long unless you make it to the championship. That’s kind of how it feels,” Stroud said. “It’s cool because we get another week to hang out with one another and go spend time together off the field. These types of games, it’s about who stays tight-knit because crazy things happen in the playoffs. Just like last week, crazy things happen. Whoever can gel together is usually the one to win.”

Securing a win is common for Houston in the wild-card round. After shoring up a double-digit victory over the Chargers, the Texans improved to 6-2 all-time in the postseason’s first weekend.

It’s Round 2 where struggles reside for the AFC South champions. The Texans are 0-5 in the divisional round, most recently falling short last season of making the AFC title against top-seeded Baltimore.

Before that, Houston blew a 24-0 first-quarter lead against Mahomes en route to a 51-31 loss. Mahomes would go on to secure his first Super Bowl title three weeks later with a win over the San Francisco 49ers.

Weather is expected to be a slight factor at kickoff, but nothing too serious compared to the windchill out in Buffalo. Stroud, who started two seasons at Ohio State, said playing in Columbus prepared him for the cold weather, though it differs from playing in wet.

“It’s better than playing when it’s wet,” Stroud said. “And then it snows, which is better than if it rains.”

Kickoff from Arrowhead Stadium is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.

Texans QB C.J. Stroud leads all passers in wild-card round performance

C.J. Stroud is leading the pack of remaining QBs in passing yards following his epic day against the Chargers.

For as bad of a season that C.J. Stroud had in the public eye during his sophomore campaign, he seems to be hot in the playoffs. At least that’s what the numbers say after the wild-card round.

The Houston Texans second-year passer led all quarterbacks with 282 passing yards in a 32-12 win over the Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday to advance to the divisional round.

Buffalo Bills gunslinger Josh Allen, who guided the AFC East champions to a victory over the Denver Broncos, finished second with 10 fewer yards.

Stroud, who also threw a touchdown pass and an interception, really found his mojo after a 34-yard fumble recovery-turned-completion to Xavier Hutchinson. That was the start of a 99-yard drive capped off with a 13-yard touchdown pass to Nico Collins, thus giving Houston a 7-6 lead.

The Texans (11-7) never trailed the rest of the afternoon in what could be the final home game at NRG Stadium. They scored 23 unanswered points before Los Angeles ever found its way back.

Stroud also finished with a 66.7% completion rating and a 90.7 passer rating.

“People always see our mountaintops, but one thing that people don’t understand there are valleys, too, times just going through it. In my life, I’m very grateful for both,” Stroud said postgame. “I haven’t always been that way, but my character is being built as I continue to play this great game. I’m really blessed to have the teammates I have.”

The Texans travel to Arrowhead Stadium to take on the Kansas City Chiefs this Saturday at 3:30 p.m. CT.

Texans QB C.J. Stroud makes NFL history in Wild Card victory over Chargers

C.J. Stroud is back in the history books after helping the Houston Texans secure another wild-card round win.

C.J. Stroud made history last postseason with his three-touchdown outing against the Cleveland Browns.

Something about wild-card weekend brings out the best in the Houston Texans’ passer.

Stroud, who guided the Texans to a 32-12 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday at NRG Stadium, became the sixth quarterback in league history to win playoff starts in each of his first two NFL seasons.

He joins Pittsburgh Steelers’ Ben Roethlisberger (2004-05), Baltimore Ravens’ Joe Flacco (2008-09), New York Jets’ Mark Sanchez (2009-10), Seattle Seahawks’ Russell Wilson (2012-13) and San Francisco 49ers Brock Purdy (2022-23) as other gunslingers to accomplish the feat.

“It’s an honor and privilege to be able to be in these shoes. I don’t take it for granted,” Stroud said following their double-digit win since Week 11. “I’m so grateful and amazed how the Lord has uplifted this team. It hasn’t always been easy this year, but this is just another thing that we can use to motivate us even more to get to the divisional round, whoever we play and play well there. Amazing though. I’m so happy and so blessed.”

Stroud started slow. The Texans fumbled on the first play of their opening drive after John Metchie III was stripped-sacked by Alohi Gilman. Two drives later, he threw an interception right in front of head coach DeMeco Ryans.

But it’s about how you finish rather than start. Stroud regained himself and stepped up after muffing a snap to connect with Xavier Hutchinson for a 34-yard gain.

After that, everyone was bought in and ready to go to work.

“That’s the play that sparked our entire team,” Ryans said.

Stroud went on to help Houston take the lead, finding Nico Collins for the game’s first touchdown. He later led three more scoring drives, including one before halftime thanks to a 27-yard scramble.

Looking back, Stroud remembered the energy turning its direction until the end of the right.

“After we made the completion, I looked to the sidelines and everybody was turnt up, so that turnt me up,” Stroud said.

Stroud finished 22-of-33 passing for 282 yards with one TD and one interception. Running back Joe Mixon extended Houston’s with a 17-yard touchdown to give Houston a 32-12 advantage with about four minutes to go.

“That’s the complementary football that we been looking for and we been needing as a team,” Ryans said.  “Just outstanding performance on all three phases. Really proud of all our guys.” 
Houston hits the road to take on the Kansas City Chiefs in the divisional round next week.

DeMeco Ryans reveals turning point of Texans’ win over Chargers

Here’s what helped the Texans secure a 32-12 win over the Chargers on Saturday in the wild-card round.

While the Houston Texans secured a 32-12 win over the Los Angeles Chargers, DeMeco Ryans believes the game could have gone a different way.

In fact, there was a direct turning point in the second quarter that likely saved the season and allowed Houston to seize momentum just before halftime.

After struggling to move the ball on offense through the first quarter,  the Texans were pinned on their own 1-yard line and looking to merely avoid a punt out of the end zone. Catastrophe almost struck as C.J. Stroud mishandled a shotgun snap from Jarrett Patterson and watched the ball bounce near the sidelines.

But in Ryans’ mind, that was the play needed to ignite a comeback for the second half. Stroud managed to pick up the ball at the 4-yard line and scramble before connecting with Xavier Hutchinson for a stupendous 34-yard gain.

“That’s the play that sparked our entire team,” Ryans said on Saturday after the win.

He’s not wrong. Two plays later, Stroud found Nico Collins for a 39-yard gain. With just under a minute remaining, the two connected for a 13-yard touchdown, giving Houston a 7-6 lead.

That would expand to 10-6 with Stroud’s 27-yard run to set up a Ka’imi Fairbairn 30-yard field goal as time expired in the second quarter.

Stroud said after the one play that almost didn’t start to electrify the crowd, the momentum boosted up the Texans’ sidelines.

“After we made the completion, I looked to the sidelines and everybody was turnt up, so that turnt me up,” Stroud said.

Houston scored 23 unanswered points after the Hutchinson pitch-and-catch before the Bolts found life. Even after Ladd McConkey scored an 87-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter, Cameron Dicker’s PAT was blocked by Dencio Autry and recovered by D’Angelo Ross for a 2-point conversion.

“That’s the complementary football that we been looking for and we been needing as a team.,” Ryans said. “Just outstanding performance on all three phases.”

Houston’s defense forced four interceptions and four sacks of Justin Herbert. The Pro Bowl completed just 14 total passes and a mere three when pressured for 103 yards.

Eric Murray took his 38 yards for a back-breaking pick-six to conclude the third quarter. Meanwhile, All-Pro Derek Stingley Jr. nabbed two interceptions, in a one to essentially ice the blowout victory.

“I’m most proud of how we stopped the run, and then you make teams one-dimensional, and that’s what we did,” Ryans said.

Stroud, who became the sixth quarterback in NFL history to win two playoff games in his first two seasons, finished 22-of-33 passing for 282 yards with a touchdown pass and an interception.

The Texans travel to Arrowhead Stadium next week to take on the Kansas City Chiefs in the divisional round.

C.J. Stroud’s fumble actually helped Texans win vs. Chargers

While the play wasn’t designed to happen this way, C.J. Stroud’s fumble might have saved the Houston Texans’ season.

One play doesn’t define a season, but it can define a game.

But how many times do a fumble actually help an offense? Well, that was the case for Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud during the second quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers.

And yes, the Texans believe that was the play needed to give Houston life.

“To me that was the play of the game that really created momentum for our entire team,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said after Houston secured a 32-12 win against the Chargers in the wild-card round.

The momentum shift happened within seconds deep inside the Texans’ territory. Facing a 3rd-and-16, the Texans appeared ready to punt again if they couldn’t connect.

But Stroud watched as the drive went from bad to word. He completely missed Jarrett Patterson’s snap in the shotgun as the ball rolled free at the Texans’ 5-yard line.

Stroud somehow scooped up the loose ball and sprinted toward the sidelined. He managed to plant his feet and uncork a pass before the Chargers’ pass rush could reach him.

Waiting at mid-filed was Xavier Hutchinson for a 34-yard gain.

“JUST LIKE THEY DREW IT UP!”

C.J. Stroud makes things happen after the bad snap 😱

📺: #LACvsHOU on CBS/Paramount+

📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/II2oMnkbM1

— NFL (@NFL) January 11, 2025

“After we made the completion, I looked at the sideline and everybody was turned up, and that turned me up, because I was still kind of mad at myself,” Stroud said.

That was the spark missing for weeks with the first-team offense. Two plays later, Stroud connected with Nico Collins for a 39-yard strike. With 58 seconds remaining in the half, Stroud found Collins again, only this time for a 13-yard score to give Houston the 7-6 lead.

“Those are the type of plays that change momentum, and a team can rally around plays like that,” Stroud said.

After that fumble that almost decided the game, Houston was in control. Stroud finished the afternoon with 282 passing yards and a touchdown. Collins set a playoff record with 122 receiving yards off seven catches.

Meanwhile, the defense forced three more interceptions against Chargers QB Justin Herbert, thus helping Houston never trail again.

DeMeco Ryans said QB CJ Stroud fumbled play turned 34-yard completion to X.Hutchinson “sparked the team.”

— DJ Bien-Aime (@Djbienaime) January 12, 2025

And it was all made possible by a play that wasn’t supposed to ever happen with a receiver at the right place after not giving up on a play.

“Shoutout to Hutch for making a great instinctual play and I just tried my best to save the play,” Stroud laughed.

The Texans travel to Arrowhead Stadium next week to take on the Kanas City Chiefs in the divisional round.

Texans-Chargers Wild Card Round: Offense, defense and special teams snap counts

The Houston Texans extended their season by another week with a victory over the Los Angeles Chargers on wild-card weekend.

While Rex Ryan is eating crow, the Houston Texans are eating playoff wins.

Behind a four-turnover afternoon from the defense, the Texans secured a 32-12 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers in the wild-card round at NRG Stadium.

The Texans, who improved to 6-2 all-time on wild-card round weekend, await the outcome of Sunday’s matchup between the Bills and Broncos to determine where they’ll head in the divisional round.

“Our defense, they dominated today,” Texans coach DeMeco  Ryans said. “That’s who we want to be. They played our brand of football. They stopped the run first. That’s what I’m most proud of is how we stop the run. And when we stop the run, you make a team one-dimensional, and that’s when our defensive line just causes havoc.”

The defense did deliver in all three phases. Outside of Ladd McConkey, the Chargers’ offense was dormant for four quarters. Justin Herbert never could build a rapport with his other playmakers, thus leading to forced passes at ill-advised times.

Herbert’s first interception landed in the arms of Kamari Lassiter on a deep shot in the red zone. His second turnover resulted in a 36-yard return for a touchdown from Eric Murray.

The final two picks landed in the hands of All-Pro cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., who spent most of his afternoon defending the Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate.

On one of the few plays he didn’t guard him, McConkey went off for an 87-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter.

Herbert was also sacked four times, including twice from Will Anderson Jr.

“We were just being tight with our rush,” Anderson said. “They were sticky in coverage, and we were just able to make some plays, get some turnovers and take the ball away.”

Here are the snap counts from both teams.

Offensive Snaps: 73

Defensive Snaps: 56

Special Teams Snaps: 19

If the Broncos win, the Texans head to Baltimore to take on the Ravens. Should the Bills win, Houston returns to Arrowhead Stadium to take on the Kansas City Chiefs.