NFL insider uses Dak Prescott’s injury history to highlight severity of C.J. Stroud’s shoulder concern

Dak Prescott's injury story could provide an optimistic outlook for C.J. Stroud’s current injury scare. The Houston Texans quarterback sustained a shoulder injury late in the 2024 NFL season but continued playing until the campaign ended.

Five months into the offseason, Stroud hasn’t thrown in any of the Texans’ practices. Instead, he has been limited to handing the ball to running backs while David Mills took the first-team reps.

During Friday's episode of "The Rich Eisen Show," Tom Pelissero said nothing suggests C.J. Stroud's situation will become a more serious issue for the Texans.

"I have not heard anything to make me believe that this is going to be something long-term," Pelissero said. "We've seen various reports saying it's his shoulder.

"DeMeco Ryans went full NHL coach, you know, John Cooper just saying, it is general body soreness. Whatever it is, it's enough for them to not have CJ Stroud on the field at this time doing anything in terms of throwing the football here."

Additionally, he recalled that Prescott went through a similar path in the offseason but ultimately got healthy and was able to play.

"Let's see as we get into training camp here, what the reps look like," he said. "I can remember other times, with Dak Prescott, when there was all kinds of questions and panic about Dak Prescott having limited reps to get another MRI, and it was like, 'No, I kept being told he's going to be fine. We're just being cautious because he pushes himself too hard.'

"And sure enough, Dak was good to go. That was a couple of years ago. It could well be the same thing with CJ Stroud."

DeMeco Ryans explains why C.J. Stroud hasn't practiced in 2025 offseason

Soon after the sixth practice of the Texans' offseason, DeMeco Ryan explained why C.J. Stroud isn’t throwing the ball to his teammates. The young coach blamed soreness for keeping Stroud sidelined.

“There’s no concerns with C.J., 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.”

Fans weren’t too excited about this update, but if Pelissero’s words are to be believed, there’s nothing to worry about. The Texans’ mandatory minicamp is scheduled for June 10-11, which could give fans a better view of where Stroud stands.