Stroud has dealt with lingering muscle soreness in his throwing shoulder and did not throw during Houston’s OTAs last month. Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said last week that he had “no concerns” about Stroud’s long-term availability. For now, it appears Stroud’s shoulder is not an issue as he looks to bounce back from a poor 2024 campaign. Stroud last season ranked 28th out of 32 qualifying QBs in drop back success rate and his adjusted yards per attempt plummeted from 8.7 in 2023 to just 6.7 in 2024, in line with Aaron Rodgers and Bo Nix.

The former workhorse finds a new home after another lost season due to injury, landing in Houston on a one-year deal that carries a maximum value of $5 million. The incentive-laden contract makes sense for both parties considering Chubb’s recent injury history, providing a proven low cost option behind Joe Mixon in the backfield pecking order. Chubb passed his team physical Monday, prompting the signing and also indicating that he is on track in his return from a broken foot that ended his 2024 season after just eight games.

Wilson says Mixon has successfully graduated from his walking boot and now sports a small, precautionary brace. Details on Pierce’s injury are unavailable. While both players are expected to return by July 18th, the team’s pursuit of Nick Chubb makes sense. Wilson previously reported that Mixon’s current ankle injury is unrelated to the two ankle injuries he suffered last season.

Ryans on Tuesday addressed reports that Stroud is dealing with a lingering muscle injury in his throwing shoulder. “It’s just general soreness,” Ryans said. “We’re taking extra precaution with him, but he’ll be good to go. No concerns on my end there.” The Texans will play it safe with their franchise quarterback in the coming weeks until he’s back to 100 percent, hopefully in time for training camp. The 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year struggled mightily for most of the 2024 season, both with accuracy and decision making. Stroud last season ranked 28th out of 32 qualifying QBs in drop back success rate and his adjusted yards per attempt plummeted from 8.7 in 2023 to just 6.7 in 2024, in line with Aaron Rodgers and Bo Nix.