C.J. Stroud appeared ahead of his years when he put together a strong rookie campaign last season and guided the Houston Texans to a playoff victory.
However, things haven't come easy for Stroud of late and the Texans are looking for the star quarterback to begin a turnaround when they visit the Dallas Cowboys on Monday night. As Houston (6-4) has dropped three of its past four games, Stroud has completed just 53.7 percent of his passes.
He has been sacked 18 times during that span. Stroud also threw two interceptions last week in a 26-23 home loss to the Detroit Lions. The Texans blew a 16-point halftime lead in that contest.
"I try to not only make plays but take care of the football and do the right things that win the game," Stroud said Thursday. "Sometimes it goes our way, and sometimes it (doesn't)." Despite their slump, the Texans still lead the AFC South by two games over the Indianapolis Colts.
Still, getting Stroud back in form is a huge priority. During the tough times, Stroud passed for a career-worst 86 yards in a setback against the Green Bay Packers on Oct. 20, was sacked eight times and completed just 36.
7 percent of his passes (11 of 30) during a loss to the New York Jets on Oct. 31. Stroud's six interceptions are more than he tossed (five) in 15 starts as a rookie.
However, Houston coach DeMeco Ryans emphasized that the issues aren't limited to his quarterback. "Nobody can shoulder all of the responsibility," Ryans said. "For C.
J., yeah, it's 10 other guys a.