Texans QB C.J. Stroud confident in C-G Michael Deiter

The Houston Texans offensive line took on more attrition in Week 8 when starting center Jarrett Patterson broke his ankle and effectively ended his rookie campaign.

For quarterback C.J. Stroud, he will work with his third different starting center in Week 9 since being the de facto starter as far back as preseason.

Though Stroud has eight games under his belt as a rookie, the No. 2 overall pick understands adversity is a large part of the pro game.

“That’s the NFL,” Stroud told reporters Nov. 1. “That’s what I’m paid to do. That’s what I have to figure out, and I’ve done it in other areas in our offensive line before. I didn’t get a week to practice with a couple guys, but that’s the beauty of the game, man. If it was easy, everybody would do it. So, I’m not worried about it. I know Mike is a professional just like I am, and we’ll figure it out.”

The former Miami Dolphins 2019 third-round pick has started 23 of his 63 game day activations. In 2021, Deiter started eight games as the Dolphins’ center.