Texans QB C.J. Stroud played with shoulder pain against the Colts

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud gave Clutch City sports fans high anxiety Friday afternoon when he appeared on the injury report with a right shoulder injury.

The injury didn’t appear to bother the rookie as he went 30-of-47 for 384 yards and two touchdowns in the 30-21 loss to the Indianapolis Colts Sunday afternoon at NRG Stadium.

Stroud would not get into specifics with reporters after the game, only that he felt discomfort while throwing.

“I just had a little shoulder pain that I was dealing with, and it was hard for me to throw,” Stroud said. “I started feeling better Friday. Saturday, we don’t throw at all, so that helped. Then this morning, came in really, really early, just tried to fix it and anything I can do to play. I wanted to play.”

Stroud’s 384 yards were the second-most by a Texans rookie in a single game.

“I feel like I did as best as I could with my injury, and I tried to let it fly as much as I could and still have velocity and accuracy with the ball, but I don’t think it really hindered me that much,” said Stroud. “If I were to say that, that would be an excuse. But, for me, yeah, it was painful.”

One concern about Stroud’s injury is that it could linger throughout the year, but the former Ohio State product doesn’t think the shoulder issue will carry throughout the next 15 games.

“I hope not,” Stroud said. “I definitely think I took strides from when it happened to today. It felt better and better every day. So, I think that’s a good thing. It should be a hundred percent by this week for sure.”

The Texans go on the road in Week 3 to face the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field.