C.J. Stroud says Texans will need to channel their emotions and be on their 'A game' against Chiefs

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud said emotions will be flowing for Saturday's playoff game against the Kansas City Chiefs. He and the Texans are returning to the site of teammate Tank Dell’s gruesome knee injury just four weeks prior, one that cost him this season and possibly his next. 

As Houston takes the field at Arrowhead Stadium, Stroud said Dell will be on everybody's minds. He added that sentiment must be used to fuel his team, not overwhelm them. 

“It’s an emotional sport we play,” Stroud said. “We’ve got to go do it for him away in the same stadium he got hurt. We’ve got to find a way to not get emotional and channel that. I think we’ll be able to do that. It will be more inspiring than anything, and we’ll try to get it done for him.” 

Stroud’s confidence in channeling those emotions comes from experience, as he said that the team did so in its 32-12 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers in the first round. Dell was at a Texans game Saturday for the first time since leaving Arrowhead in an ambulance with a dislocated knee, torn ACL, LCL, MCL and meniscus damage during the third quarter of a 27-19 loss Dec. 21. The second-year receiver was on crutches with his knee in a large brace on the sidelines pregame, moving around freely before his first of several surgeries takes place Wednesday. 

Dell was in good spirits according to Stroud, smiling as he embraced teammates during warmups. The quarterback said seeing him with a positive attitude gave Houston “a boost of energy” that propelled them to beat Los Angeles. 

Those good spirits could have come from the Texans’ warmup wardrobe. Players donned custom T-shirts with Dell’s name and image on them, including Stroud who perceives him “like a brother.” While he said he liked the message they conceived, Stroud said the shirts reminded him of something more morbid than heartwarming. 

“It just reminds me of the funeral shirts. That’s kind of what we do back home,” Stroud said with a smile. “It’s a good way to remember somebody for that year. But I don’t want them to ever just think like they’re on the shirt. I actually do check up on them, my guys who aren’t playing no more, and care for them more than just wearing the T-shirt.  

“They’re dope. I hope they like it, but I don’t know if I want to be on one of the shirts. I think it’s amazing that we do that, and everybody shows respect to the person that’s out for the rest of the year. But thank God that they’re not on the other side.” 

Stroud’s gratitude for Dell’s well-being came half-jokingly. Though he knows that the task Houston has ahead is no laughing matter. The second round is the furthest a Texans season has gone. No team in the 22-year history of the franchise has advanced  to the AFC championship game. The 23-year-old didn’t know that Tuesday but was determined to take his team to its first after finding out. 

“I think that would be a huge accomplishment,” Stroud said. “This team is really motivated to go out there and play some good ball against a great Kansas City team that’s been in these moments forever. We know it’s going to take all of us. We know it’s going to take a lot of execution to get that done. We’ve got to be on our A-game.” 

Stroud talked about the date with the two-time reigning Super Bowl champions and more Tuesday. Here’s the best of what he said. 

On the importance of the team all being in the same mindset this time of year: 

“It’s huge. Now you think about it, there’s only eight teams left. It seems like you’re lonely at practice. Not saying that you’re ever worried about anybody else, but you always knew other teams were practicing. Now it’s only seven other teams. It’s kind of unique. It feels a little weird, but it kind of feels like when you were in youth ball and you play all the way to like Thanksgiving. You usually don’t play that long unless you make it to the championship. That’s kind of how it feels. It’s cool because we get another week to hang out with one another and go spend time together off the field. These types of games, it’s about who stays tight-knit because crazy things happen in the playoffs. Just like last week, crazy things happen. Whoever can gel together is usually the one to win.” 

On watching playoff football growing up and games that stuck out to him: 

“I definitely looked up to a lot of guys growing up and watched these type of games growing up. I remember watching Houston play Kansas City some years back and (the Texans) went up early, and then (the Chiefs) ended up coming back. I’m not saying how that’s going to go, but I remember watching that one. I remember watching all the AFC championships with (Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe) Burrow and (Chiefs quarterback Patrick) Mahomes. I watched the one with (Buffalo Bills quarterback) Josh Allen and Mahomes. All those great games. I’ve always wanted to be in these types of moments, which is amazing that I’m able to do it in Year 2 again. I’m definitely not taking it for granted. I’m definitely trying to earn my op and trying to run with it.” 

On preparing to play in cold weather: 

“I don’t have anything up my sleeve. That’s kind of one of the reasons I went to Ohio State, play in the cold and get used to that. I’ve played in cold-weather games before. It’s different, but it’s better than playing when it’s wet. And then it snows, which is better than if it rains. I’m kind of used to them, but at the same time we really don’t play in the cold here. But I definitely have been trained by it in college.”