Here’s everything Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud said following Wednesday’s practice ahead of Week 3’s showdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars, including thoughts on the return of Christian Kirk and Braxton Berrios, facing off against Travis Hunter and the identity of the offensive personnel.

Question: On the feeling in the locker room as to how close they are to succeeding

C.J. Stroud: “We’re really close. We’re like one or two plays away from winning tight games against good teams and we’re only two weeks in. So, we’re still building, still growing, still getting used to playing with one another. So, we’re very close.”

Q: On if it’s difficult to not achieve success immediately

Stroud: “Of course, it’s not ideal. But, you don’t cry about it and be a Debbie downer. I don’t know. I just… There’s time and place for that. But, I think two weeks in, can’t lose your mind, but also can’t be too relaxed. So, it’s a little bit of a balance.”

Q: On what he wants to improve on

Stroud: “Everything. I can always be better. I told DeMeco [Ryans] the other day, if anything he sees or anybody sees I can be better in, let me know. I think my process has really been good lately. I see the field well, putting the ball where it’s supposed to be, with the coverages and whatnot. I didn’t really get a ton of reps with some of the guys we’re getting in the game at receiver. So, that’s a little bit of a challenge, but I think that’s one of my biggest things is being the coach on the field and taking that step, and it takes time. It’s not overnight. So, that’s the area I think I can go.”

Q: On his process after a game

Stroud: “I go through the film by myself, watch it with [Quarterbacks Coach] Jerrod [Johnson] and watch it with DeMeco. That’s my process.”

Q: On if the questions about the team are an extension from the previous season

Stroud: “That’s for y’all to tell. I mean, I know this is separate from how I feel or how the locker room feels. So, I’m kind of getting used to that whole idea, like you’re the hero or the zero. Then when you’re not doing well, everybody’s questioning your process, your meeting time, your this, your that. That’s exactly what y’all’s job is and it’s respect. I always try to give y’all respect and honor y’all’s job. I have my own reasoning and idea on how the season is going and that might be different from other people. So, I don’t really have an ill will or an idea on each side. It’s all separate to me. I don’t try to… Whatever we’re doing in the locker room or on the field doesn’t trickle to y’all. Whatever people are questioning or like media, fans, what they’re saying is different from what’s coming in the locker room.”

Q: On how he has adjusted to playing a new season after the amount of pressure he faced from defenses last season

Stroud: “It’s not easy taking hits and you try to sit in there and have confidence in [the offensive line] up front and that’s what I try to do. I think I’m a really good pocket passer. So, I try to just sit in there, stand strong and make plays and I’ve done a good job of extending plays last couple of years. But, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t and it’s not easy just to sit in there all the time. There’s a big guys hitting you, so it’s not always easy.”

Q: On if getting WR Christian Kirk, WR Braxton Berrios and C Jake Andrews back in practice is a boost

Stroud: “Yeah, definitely. Some of the guys that I practiced with a lot in camp, definitely will help in these upcoming games and getting that rapport down with them.”

Q: On what WR Christian Kirk brings to the team

Stroud: “He’s very smart, very savvy, fast, runs great routes, great hands, a leader, somebody who loves ball. So, all those things.”

Q: On what he’s seen from Jacksonville Jaguars WR/DB Travis Hunter on tape

Stroud: “They got a lot of trust in him. They’re putting him a lot of one-on-ones. He’s in on third down a bunch, a corner, can line up in the slot as well. So, he does a good job. He’s good with his technique, his leverage. One thing I remember about him is he’s a ball hawk. He plays the ball well. He’s a good player.”

Q: On the pros and cons in playing so many close games since his career began

Stroud: “How many blowout wins do you see a week? Maybe one, two. That’s very lucky and we’ve had those games. We played New England last year, had a really good game against them, played the [Los Angeles] Chargers, same thing. My rookie year, we had a couple blowout wins. You can’t blow everybody out, that’s the NFL, it’s the best players in the world for a reason. So, I don’t care how it looks, where it’s at, you just want to win.”

Q: On how he feels when he scrambles

Stroud: “I feel great, I feel good, I feel fast, elusive and strong. I think even my receivers are out there blocking for me and I’ll also try to keep my eyes on the field too. So, try to just have a little bit of a balance. But, I like doing it.”

Q: On how he can reflect on his rookie season as he deals with the second 0-2 start of his career

Stroud: “I like it. I mean, I don’t like it, but I’m saying, I like that I’ve had a history with this. One thing that I’ve learned is when you lose, or when you’re not doing the best, is when the people who really support you, and who don’t, come to fruition. They voice their opinions, good or bad. So, for me, it’s really good to look myself in the mirror, or look around who’s around me, see who’s really for me, who’s not and I think for this team, the same thing. So, in those times grateful because I know what type of team we are, we’re very close, if we don’t make a couple mistakes in the fourth quarter, in the [Los Angeles] Rams game and in this past game, everybody’s smiling and saying how great we are. So, I don’t have faith in man, I have hope in man. But my faith is in God, and I know he has me in this position, for this team, for this coach, for everything, for a reason. So, I’m happy, and I’m hopeful and faithful to the process. It’s not overnight, so I’m just staying true to it.”

Q: On his idea of how the season is going

Stroud: “I’ll probably keep that to myself. I don’t really want to… It’s my business.”

Q: On WR Jaylin Noel

Stroud: “I thought he’s done a good job, especially this past game with special teams and not always getting the ball on the offensive side. He’s done a good job of having a good attitude and getting the plays that he gets and doing the best he can. Him and ‘Higg’ [WR Jayden Higgins], they’re still learning, still got some things that we’re figuring out together, just as a whole. ‘C-Kirk’ will little help those guys as he’s in the room, and on game day they can see him and how he works, and the type of route distribution he has. Not to say they’re not doing their job, but just that veteran feeling that he’ll bring to the room. But, ‘J-Noel’ is doing a great job and ‘Higg’ is as well. So, they’re still growing and learning. They’ll be great players.”

Q: On the Jacksonville Jaguars defense

Stroud: “They’re playing good ball. They played really solid against Carolina, played really good against Cincinnati. They got a very, very good back end. They got one of my old teammates, ‘E. Murray’ [Eric Murray]. Josh Hines-Allen is a great edge threat, so is No. 44 [Travon Walker], two good backers. Every team is good in the NFL, but they have a really good defense. They’ve been playing together for a while, so it’s going to be a challenge. Every game in the NFL is always hard, so we got to prepare and get our bodies right and our minds right for trying to go up there and get a win.”

Q: On how motion helps him as a quarterback

Stroud: “I don’t know, I don’t really care to be honest. I’d rather see the defense, see what they’re doing. Motion isn’t really for me. It could be, but sometimes it’s for making them communicate a little more. So, I could create a setup and confusion because defenses have a bunch of checks, but I really don’t mind.”