How former Ohio State football QB C.J. Stroud did in his NFL debut for the Texans

colin gay, columbus dispatch

Mon, Sep 11, 2023, 9:04 PM·1 min read

C.J. Stroud officially started his NFL career Sunday afternoon.

In his first action after being the No. 2 overall pick of the 2023 NFL draft in April, Stroud and the Houston Texans lost to the Baltimore Ravens 25-9.

The former Ohio State quarterback completed 28 of his 44 pass attempts for 242 passing yards. Stroud did not throw a touchdown pass against the Ravens, who limited the Texans to 268 yards and 3.7 yards per play.

Stroud also had four rushes for 20 yards and was sacked five times.

Stroud's leading receiver in Week 1 was former Michigan wide receiver Nico Collins, who brought in six of his 11 targets for 80 yards.

Prior to the start of the 2023 season, Stroud was named a team captain for the Texans along with offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil, safety Jimmie Ward and safety Jalen Pitre.

Reppin' that © on their chest 🤘 pic.twitter.com/P2RynW0SU6
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) September 4, 2023

Battling with quarterback Davis Mills for the first-team reps at quarterback, Stroud completed 11 of his 18 pass attempts for 89 yards over the Texans' preseason, throwing one touchdown and one interception in eight series.

Houston Texans' C.J. Stroud gets past Baltimore Ravens' Kyle Hamilton during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

In 2021-22, Stroud was a two-time Heisman finalist, completing 69.3% of his pass attempts for 8,123 passing yards, 85 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

Stroud was the second quarterback selected in the 2023 draft behind Alabama's Bryce Young, who went to the Carolina Panthers at No. 1.

Stroud and the Texans will host Indianapolis next Sunday at 1 p.m. on FOX.