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Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans is receiving some pushback following his impassioned reaction to the hit that resulted in quarterback C.J. Stroud’s concussion in Week 9 against the Denver Broncos, leaving him in doubt for Week 10 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Stroud’s mother posted on Instagram that her son was “ok,” but the QB must pass the NFL’s five-phase process to return to action. His head coach’s reaction is under the microscope, though. DeMeco Ryans’ Comments Resurface After C.J. Stroud Hit Ryans asserted postgame that Broncos cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine should have received a penalty for the hit on Stroud, who was sliding when the two players made contact. Replays showed Abrams-Draine made contact with Stroud’s chest, not his head or neck. Whiplash action sent the QB’s head into the turf that delivered the concussive blow, knocking him out of the contest. Ryans pointed to the league’s emphasis on protecting QBs. However, Ryans expressed opposing sentiments when defending one of his players. Following a hit from linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair on Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence in a 23-20 Texans win in 2024, Ryans claimed the QB attempted to take advantage of the league’s rule protecting the position and defended his player’s character. “We stand behind Azeez and everything that came from that. Of course, he, unfortunately, hit on the quarterback. But it’s also … twofold, right? A lot of the quarterbacks in this day and age, they try and take advantage of the rule where they slide late, and they try to get an extra yard. And now, you’re a defender, a lot of onus is on the defender, right, whether it’s on the sideline or where it’s on the quarterback. You don’t know what a guy is thinking. You don’t know if a guy’s standing up, and he’s continuing the run,” Ryans told reporters in December 2024. “And then, you get a late slide, and you hit the guy. Unfortunate that Trevor got hurt. We hope Trevor is okay. But it’s also, if we’re sliding, we have to get down. If we’re getting out of bounds, we get out of bounds. And that rule is there to protect the quarterbacks, and we want our quarterbacks to be safe in the league. So, we just have to be safe, and we’re sliding. Make sure we’re keeping our heads down.” Mile High Sports Cody Roark posted on X that there was a “clear cut difference between KAD’s and the one his player did vs. Trevor Lawrence,” suggesting Ryans was being hypocritical in his criticism of Abrams-Draine. Ryans said the Jaguars “sideline overreacts,” called for better decorum from “both teams” on the sidelines, and said Al-Shaair’s reputation belied his character. Azeez Al-Shaair Gets Honest About C.J. Stroud Hit Al-Shaair expressed sympathy for Abrams-Draine, but also astonishment that the call did not draw a penalty. Al-Shaair said officials told him they had reexamined the implementation of the rule. Specifically, the official said they were looking for contact to the head and neck area on such plays, of which there was none. Al-Shaair said, perhaps, it is a result of his previous play. Either way, it was unfortunate. “Not only did he not get ejected, it was not even a flag. I think that frustrated me more than anything,” Al-Shaair told reporters on November 2, noting the lengths the league went to make an example of him. “I was blown away. It really shocked me. “I hate that it was my quarterback that had to be the learning lesson of you know what not to do or what’s not a penalty, man.” Al-Shaair has said he plays the game correctly and that he and Lawrence made amends. This season, the linebacker received a fine for a hit to the head on Tennessee Titans QB Cam Ward. He did not draw a flag. Conversely, Al-Shaair drew a flag for a late hit on Seattle Seahawks QB Sam Darnold. He did not receive a fine in that instance. Texans Teammates React to C.J. Stroud’s Injury Texans defensive end Will Anderson, selected one spot after Stroud in the 2024 draft, called the situation “very unfortunate.” “I think it was a BS call,” Anderson said postgame. “We talk about protecting quarterbacks. C.J’s a big name in this league, and he’s a quarterback that a lot of people love, and watch, and we love being here. And, man, I hope we can get him back whenever we do. And we’re just gonna keep fighting for him.” Texans cornerback Kamari Lassiter said on Sports Radio 610 that he was “frustrated.” He said that seeing the QB down “made my heart stop.” He also said Stroud was “in better spirits,” and said losing their “natural leader” inspired him.
