Things just got tougher for C.J. Stroud in his Week 1 face off with the Rams

The Los Angeles Rams will start the 2025 season at home against the Houston Texans, and while Houston is a good team, it could be a long day for quarterback C.J. Stroud. For starters, Stroud has to line up against the Rams’ dominant defensive line — that equates to a long day for any offense . However, that’s just the start of problems Houston will be having.

On Thursday, it was reported that veteran receiver Christian Kirk is expected to be sidelined for the Texans on Sunday with a strained hamstring. That means Stroud and the Houston offense will be coming to Los Angeles without one of the team’s top pass catchers.

Texans receiver Christian Kirk expected to miss Week 1 game against Rams

Unfortunately for Houston, this is just the latest of numerous injuries to important offensive playmakers. At the end of training camp, the Texans made the decision to place running back Joe Mixon on the reserve/non-football injury list, sidelining him for at least the first four weeks of the season. That means he won’t be available to help out on Sunday either. The same goes for Tank Dell, who is still recovering from a late-season knee injury.

Stroud will still have his top target Nico Collins, as well as a couple of promising rookie wideouts, and Nick Chubb in the backfield. However, every team would love to start the year at full strength, and the Texans are far from that.

In addition to the health concerns, Houston has a revamped offensive line that it is desperately hoping is better than last season’s line. The new group will be put right to the test, because the Rams have a deep, young defensive line group that is relentless in getting after quarterbacks. If this line has any weaknesses, Los Angeles’ defensive linemen will exploit them, and C.J. Stroud will pay.

READ MORE