Texans QB C.J. Stroud not trying to ‘little bro’ Caleb Williams on Sunday Night Football

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud was not trying to ‘little bro’ Chicago Bears rookie star Caleb Williams

C.J. Stroud pulled Caleb Williams in for a conversation following the Houston Texans’ 19-13 win over the Chicago Bears.

He told the No. 1 overall pick, “Good job out there,” and to “stop taking those hits” after Williams was sacked seven times and took 11 quarterback hits. At the time, it seemed Williams wasn’t interested in hearing Stroud’s advice.

Stroud wanted to give a piece of advice to keep Williams’ confidence up heading into Week 3, so he pulled him back to deliver one final message.

“Come here,” Stroud said. “Learn from those mistakes, and everything that you got, bro, is in you already, bro. You’re going to be a hell of a player in this league.”

Social media users criticized Stroud for trying to ‘little bro’ the former USC star despite being only a year older than him in the league. When asked, Stroud said he wanted to relay the similar information given to him a season ago.

“I was not trying to little bro him or anything. He knows that, too. I have a ton of respect for him,” Stroud said. “I had so many guys coming to me after games last year, and that meant the world to me that those guys even thought about giving me advice.

“I was just trying to give back to the game what it’s given to me. I wish him the best, man. I want him to do amazing in this league. I think he will.”

Stroud certainly took the information to heart given to him last season en route to winning Offensive Rookie of the Year. In 15 games, he threw for 4,108 yards and 23 touchdowns against five interceptions while leading Houston to its first division title in four years.

Stroud also became the first quarterback since Tom Brady to lead the NFL in passing yards per game and touchdown-to-interception ratio in the same season. He also became the first rookie quarterback drafted in the first round to win a playoff game since 2009, surpassing former New York Jets star Mark Sanchez.

While Willams could live up to the hype as a potential franchise quarterback, Sunday was far from his best performance. He completed  23 of his 37 passes for 174 yards and two interceptions.

Stroud said that Williams would be fine in time and admitted that even he had some growing pains before finding his groove as a rookie.

“I didn’t get my rhythm until like Week 3 or Week 4,” Stroud said. “So, I can see his game picking up from here.”

When asked about the postgame interaction, Williams’ response was brief.

“We shook hands at the end of the game,” the QB said Sunday. “That was about it.”

Stroud, who now looks to keep Houston’s undefeated season alive on the road against the Minnesota Vikings, said he didn’t view Williams’ answer as negative, especially given the circumstances.

“He was just upset that they lost. I totally understand,” Stroud said. “I have a ton of respect for that guy. I want him to do extremely well just like any other guy until we play on that day.”

Watch: Texans QB C.J. Stroud delivers classy advice to Caleb Williams following win

C.J. Stroud offered a few words of wisdom to Caleb Willaims following Sunday’s win.

C.J. Stroud said last week that he’s always willing to offer advice to the next crop of young quarterbacks following his breakout rookie season.

On Sunday, he extends a few wise words to Chicago Bears star Caleb Williams.

The Houston Texans quarterback embraced Williams following a 19-13 victory on Sunday Night Football. Despite a lackluster outing from the No. 1 overall pick, Stroud told him if he can learn to avoid the hits, the sky is the limit.

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“Learn from those mistakes and everything that you got, bro, it’s in you already, bro,” Stroud told Williams. “You’re going to be one hell of a player in this league.”

Hits played a significant role in Sunday’s primetime outing. While Stroud was sacked four times, he also evaded five other pressures and completed three extra completions. The reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year completed 23-of-36 passes for 260 yards and a touchdown to secure the franchise’s best start since 2016.

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Williams, a former Heisman Trophy winner, wasn’t so lucky. The Texans totaled seven sacks, and consistently was scrambling for his life in the second half. Williams was 3-of-12 for 15 yards and an interception when Houston blitzed.

He finished the evening 23-of-37 for 174 passing yards and two interceptions. Through two games, Williams has yet to throw his first touchdown pass, though Stroud still seems a bright future for the new man in command of the Windy City franchise.

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“I just told him, ‘Everything that got you here is going to take care of you in the long run. Don’t put your head down, don’t let a hard time humble you and just keep going,” Stroud said Sunday night on the broadcast. “It’s not going to be easy, but you got picked at No. 1 for a reason, because they trust in you and believe in you.’ I wish him the best, but I definitely think he’ll be better as he goes on.”

Williams and the Bears will look to bounce back in a road matchup against the Indianapolis Colts. Meanwhile, Stroud and the Texans will travel north to take on the Minnesota Vikings.

Watch: Ka’imi Fairbairn drills long field goal for Texans before halftime against Bears

Ka’imi Fairbairn is the definition of clutch for the Houston Texans.

Ka’imi Fairbairn’s middle name is clutch.

Well, it’s actually Kaʻiminoeauloamekaʻikeokekumupaʻa, but “clutch” is how the Houston Texans kicker has played this year.

Following a false start from Laremy Tunsil, the Texans were just in line of Fairbairn’s usual field goal range. From the logo, the veteran delivered a 59-yard boom blast to give the Texans a 16-10 lead over the Chicago Bears at halftime.

Fairbairn also made a 50-yard field goal on Houston’s opening drive to take a 3-0 lead.

The former UCLA star has been perfect for the Texans after signing a three-year, $15.9 million contract extension this offseason. In Week 1’s 29-27 victory over the Indianapolis Colts, he drilled three 50-plus yard kicks, including a season-long 51-yarder.

Well, that record was broken in the closing second of the first half. Houston could come back to thank Mr. Clutch following the end of the third quarter.

Texans vs. Bears, Week 1 injury report: Wednesday

Dalton Schultz did not practice during Wednesday’s preparation to take on the Chicago Bears on Sunday Night Football.

The Houston Texans still remain for the most part healthy entering Sunday Night Football’s showdown against the Chicago Bears, though are missing a key weapon on offense.

Tight end Dalton Schultz did not workout during Wednesday’s practice due to an ankle injury. Defensive back M.J. Stewart, who missed last week’s 29-27 victory over the Indianapolis Colts due to a knee injury, also did not participate.

Schultz, who inked a three-year, $36 million extension this offseason, caught three passes for 16 yards and two first downs. If he’s inactive, the Texans likely would turn to Brevin Jordan and rookie Cade Stover.

For Chicago, there were a handful of players on the injury list, including most notably wide receivers Rome Odunze (knee) and Keenan Allen (heel). Odunze suffered a Grade 1 MCL sprain and is currently listed as day-to-day.

Allen, who was traded this offseason to Chicago from the Los Angeles Rams, reaggravated a heel injury in Sunday’s win over the Tennessee Titans. It was reported that Wednesday was a planned rest day.

D.J. Moore was one of three receivers who practiced without issue, joining second-year target Tyler Scott and returner DeAndre Carter. Like John Metchie III, Scott was a healthy scratch in Sunday’s home opener. Carter, who previously played in Houston, played 13 total offensive snaps in place of Odunze.

Defensive end DeMarcus Walker didn’t practice with a foot injury while offensive linemen Ryan Bates (shoulder/elbow) and Kiran Amegadjie (quad) were limited.

Defensive tackle Zacch Pickens, who didn’t play in Week 1 due to a groin injury, returned to practice for Chicago but in limited fashion.

Houston Texans

Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Game status
TE Dalton Schultz Ankle DNP
DB M.J. Stewart Knee DNP

 

Chicago Bears

Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Game Status
WR Keenan Allen heel DNP
OL Kiran Amegadjie quad LP
OL Ryan Bates shoulder/elbow LP
FB Khari Blasingame hand/knee LP
WR Rome Odunze knee DNP
DL Zacch Pickens groin LP
DL DeMarcus Walker foot DNP

DNP: Did not practice; LP: Limited participation; FP: Full participation