Comments from CJ’s press conference today

After insinuating about being injured on Christmas Day, Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud did not elaborate on Wednesday about any ailments he is dealing with.
“It's the end of the season,” Stroud said. “Everybody is banged up.”

Stroud used the same term to describe his status following the Texans' 31-2 loss to the Baltimore Ravens the week before. He said in his postgame press conference that he was “just a little banged up” this year which was limiting his ability to make plays.
The second-year pro quickly backtracked on the comment, saying it was “a terrible excuse” for why he wasn’t having the same personal success as his stellar rookie season. But injury could have been a factor for the quarterback in a performance he called “probably one of my worst games of my whole career.”

Ravens pass rusher Odafe Oweh drove Stroud into the ground at the end of the first half, which prompted a medical staff visit on the field. He left the game but quickly re-entered a play later. He did not leave the contest again until a win was out of reach and got subbed out in the fourth quarter.

Stroud underthrew receiver Xavier Hutchinson on his second throw after the injury, which allowed Baltimore safety Kyle Hamilton to catch up and pick it off. He was 6-of-11 passing for 64 yards and the interception following the Oweh hit, compiling a 33.9 quarterback rating. He was 11-of-20 for 121 yards and a 73.1 rating before the hit.

While Stroud downplayed his hurt Wednesday, his coach DeMeco Ryans called it “real” two days before. Though Ryans also shared the same sentiment as Stroud on Monday, saying pain is “real for everyone in the league at this time of the year” and that “everybody is banged up.”

Sunday’s game against the Tennessee Titans could allow Stroud to ease that ache. With Houston cemented as the No. 4 seed in the AFC playoff picture, Ryans could rest his starters like Stroud and let them get healthy for their first-round matchup a weekend later. But the coach reiterated on Wednesday that his starters will be playing at least a portion of the matchup as he needs to see his team “playing better before we head into the postseason.”
Albeit risking injury, Stroud said he agrees with Ryans’ strategy as it could aid their momentum as the regular season ends.
“DeMeco has a plan for us and we have to trust his plan and to go out there and play,” Stroud said. “I am excited and it is a blessing to be able to go out and play in this league whenever it is. We are excited to play Tennessee and even more excited to play in the playoffs. I do think that this could help us.”

Stroud talked about the road ahead and more on Wednesday. Here’s the best of what he said:

On new wide receiver Diontae Johnson:
“He is a really skilled route runner, very knowledgeable about the game, very eager and motivated to play well and that is something that I like. He is just really a smooth route runner and catches the ball really easy. I think he will do just fine here, and I am excited to work with him and build that connection.”
“We met last year after the season at a signing, and we just chopped it up. I told him I was a big fan of his and loved his separation ability. In man coverage he separates really easily and has a good feel for the game. I have seen that on the film, and it is true even in person.”

On what he wants to see from himself this week after tough Ravens performance:
“Just be myself and try as best as I can to make plays. That is what my job is and to get guys lined up. Make sure guys are doing their jobs the right way and communicating well. Then, of course, throwing the pill. Just want to get back to feeling good again, I feel like I am getting better so that helps.”

On the season going into January and the new year:
“It is a new season, new excitement, 0-0. It is all about winning that week. When you dumb it down it is like you have to win four more games and that is it. Of course, it is not that easy but you have to find a way to motivate yourself. It is motivation just to be able to continue.
“I think it is good for us, I don’t know exactly what is being said but we put ourselves in this position. This is not by chance, it is not by luck, it is not about other people. It is about us being a good football team and I want my team to remember that. People are going to talk, simple and plain. We are the ones out there playing and we got into the playoffs by being a good football team and we are going to continue to be that. I am excited. It is 0-0 and hopefully we get healthy going into there and being able to play, whoever we play here, really tough and hopefully we get a win.”

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/texans/article/c-j-stroud-houston-injury-titans-20010219.php