It’s a sequence we’ve seen countless times this year: C.J. Stroud scrambling toward the sideline, scanning desperately downfield as two or three large men grope the air behind him.
The Houston Texans signal-caller has been under constant duress from opposing defenses this season, with Stroud facing pressure on an NFL-high 29.3 percent of his dropbacks in 2024, per Pro-Football-Reference’s advanced stats. Only the Cleveland Browns’ now-injured QB Deshaun Watson has been sacked and pressured more than Stroud this season. And now with the daunting Detroit Lions coming to town on Sunday, Houston continues to reckon with a pass protection problem that no one—not even Texans’ offensive line coach Chris Strausser—seems to be able to explain.
Earlier this week, Strausser fielded questions about Houston’s porous pass protection. The former Indianapolis Colts coach offered his thoughts on what may have changed for Houston’s O-line that led to such a steep drop-off in performance for the group. In short, he’s not too sure.
“Every year is a different year for whatever reason,” Strausser said, per the Houston Chronicle’s Jonathan M. Alexander. “For us as a unit, that is our major challenge: finding a way to get better. I think last year, different guys being in there, you hate to have to switch guys around like that. I really don’t know compared to last year.”
Strausser was adamant that the issue with Houston’s pass protection is a group problem, not the product of individual faults.
“By no means is it one guy. To me, that’s an easy out in our unit,” Strausser said, per Alexander. “We know there’s a lot of guys involved. Kenyon [Green], I really think of this as being his rookie season. That first year he was here, played some, got hurt. Last year, he didn’t play at all. This year coming off an injury and really getting back into the mix. Also, this is his first time in our offense. But by no means is Kenyon the only guy.”
Indeed, 23-year-old Texans guard Kenyon Green is far from the only guilty party, though the third-year player has faced the most of the heat in recent weeks before suffering a season-ending shoulder dislocation against the New York Jets last Thursday. But other culprits abound: Veteran tackle Laremy Tunsil leads the NFL in penalties by a wide margin, committing 13 infractions, four clear of the next guy on the list.
Meanwhile, right guard Shaq Mason leads all NFL guards with 7.5 sacks allowed. And Texans center Juice Scruggs likewise leads all centers with 5 sacks allowed. The Texans offensive line as unit has been perforated to the tune of 31 sacks through nine games—tied with the New England Patriots for second-most in the league. (The Browns have allowed at a staggering 43 sacks this season.)
It’s a disappointing outcome for a group that’s largely been more healthy and more stable than its 2023 iteration, which saw Scruggs and offensive tackle Tytus Howard miss significant time due to injury. Perhaps it’s bad luck. Maybe it’s sloppiness. Whatever the reason, Strausser’s group will need to button things up before Sunday night’s highly anticipated showdown with Detroit, who come to NRG Stadium in the driver’s seat of the NFC with a 7-1 record.
The Texans will likely return star wide receiver Nico Collins to the lineup for the occasion. The only question that remains is whether Stroud will have enough time to actually get the ball to his top weapon.
