DeMeco Ryans on if CJ Stroud will play Hall of Fame Game: 'We'll see'

The Houston Texans reporters attempted to press head coach DeMeco Ryans into revealing whether or not CJ Stroud will suit up for Thursday’s Hall of Fame preseason game against the Chicago Bears, but they walked away from Tuesday’s press conference empty-handed. “We’ll see,” was all Ryans would say as he closed out his media availability at training camp.

The Chicago Bears have already made it clear that the Thursday game against Houston won’t feature their No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams, which makes it more likely that the Texans will also play it safe with their star quarterback.

Though he wouldn’t say for sure whether Stroud will play, Ryans said he views the game against the Bears as a chance for the less experienced players to see action.

“Any time we line up, it’s real,” Ryans said. “For the guys who are out there, it’s important. That’s the first thing that we have to understand that all these guys are vying for a spot on this team. They’re vying for a spot – a chance to play in the NFL and make it, so we don’t take it lightly.”

In his rookie season, Stroud posted 4,108 passing yards, 23 touchdowns and five interceptions while completing 63.9% of his passes. He also tallied 167 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.

For his efforts, Stroud was named the 2023 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. He also earned his first Pro Bowl nod.

After the Hall of Fame game, the Texans have preseason games lined up against the Steelers, Giants and Rams. Though New York and LA have their quarterback situations sorted, the Steelers are still in the midst of a battle between Justin Fields and Russell Wilson.

Matt Eberflus reveals Caleb Williams’ status for Hall of Fame game

If you flip on the Bears-Texans preseason game, Thursday, don’t expect to see Caleb Williams, the No. 1 player in the NFL Draft, on the field. Bears coach Matt Eberflus announced Tuesday that he won’t use the team’s starters in the game, which kicks off the NFL preseason schedule.

So who will start for the Bears? Tyson Bagent will go to QB1, ahead of Brett Rypien and undrafted rookie Austin Reed.

Bagent was an undrafted rookie in 2023. He not only made the 53-man roster, he filled in nicely when called upon by the coaches. He ended up starting four games, going 2-2, after Justin Fields was injured. The Bears traded Fields to the Steelers once they decided to select Williams, the former Heisman winner from USC.