Here’s everything Houston Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said ahead of Week 17’s battle against the Los Angeles Chargers, including an update on the offensive tackles and what to expect with a shortened week of practice.

Question: On the Los Angeles Chargers defense

DeMeco Ryans: “For the [Los Angeles] Chargers defense and what makes them most effective, I think it’s the structure, how sound they are. I think [Defensive Coordinator] Jesse [Minter] has done a really nice job of coordinating the defense, utilizing his playmakers in the right way. He uses Derwin James in a lot of different areas to get him down to blitz. They put him in coverage. Everybody knows Derwin is a dynamic player. I thought they did a really good job of picking up [Odafe Oweh] before the trade deadline of adding another edge rusher. So, you got Oweh, Khalil Mack; they have a really good presence on the edges. They’re a good pass rush unit. But the biggest thing with this team is they make you earn it. They’re going to make sure they’re playing deep zone coverage. They’re going to make you earn every single yard that you get and they’re going make it tough. They’re a really good unit, fast, they fly around, but they’re going be sound and that’s the thing that stands out to me the most. They’re sound and those guys play well together.”

Q: On LB Azeez Al-Shaair making the Pro Bowl for the first time

Ryans: “I’m really proud of all of our guys who made the Pro Bowl. A really special one, probably more special to me for seeing Azeez be able to make the Pro Bowl. Seeing the trajectory of his career, where he started as an undrafted free agent, backup player, special teams and to see him make his way in this league. Not just make his way but to come in and knock the doors down and show everyone throughout the league this year of the type of player that he is. He’s our Walter Payton Man of the Year. Now he gets this huge honor of the Pro Bowl, which is even bigger because you get the respect from your peers. That’s the thing that means a lot. I’m so proud of Azeez for accomplishing this. This Pro Bowl is huge for him, it’s a huge honor and it was a special moment for me to be able to announce that news to him this morning.”

Q: On the opportunity to clinch a playoff birth with a win on Saturday

Ryans: “For our team and where we are at this point of the season, we’ve earned the right to play a game that’s meaningful. A really huge game for us that if we win, we get in. I mentioned to our guys this morning, how else would you want it? It’s such a huge opportunity that our guys have earned. Everybody understands it didn’t look great to start, but our guys stayed the course. They continued to believe in each other. They continue to play with the passion, the energy, what we needed to play with. They finish games the right way to put themselves in a position right here to have a win-and-get-in moment. I’m excited to see our guys go out and play this game. We really had a really good day of work today. Their mindset is right. Everybody’s energy is up. Everybody understands what’s at stake. I’m happy to be in this moment. Now we just got to go close it out.”

Q: On if he’s proud of his team and they way they rebounded after a tough start

Ryans: “I’m really proud of our team because each team is… Each year you have to build a team and each team, you never know what’s going to happen. You never build year to year off what we did last year. We’re not just going to end up in the same spot. You have to go through some things, and you have to grow through some things. That’s what we’ve done as a team. We’ve grown through the early adversity. We understood what it takes for us to win, what our formula is for the 2025 Texans and we’re leaning into that. That’s what I’m most proud of, our coaches, our players for staying the course to allow us to be in the position we’re in now. Now there’s no more talking about it. Now we got to go do it. We want to get in, we got to go earn the right, we got to punch our ticket, we go to go play winning football.”

Q: On what it’s like to see a team and a defense as unselfish as the Texans

Ryans: “My first rule as a team is it’s about the team first. It’s all about the team and our guys have embraced that. When you know you have a good team, it’s when someone else makes a play and you get just as excited as if you made that play. That’s for me, as a coach, I get so excited for guys. I can’t go make the plays, but to see them make it, I’m pumped up as if I made it. To see our players have that same enthusiasm for each other, that same love for each other, that’s what team sports are all about. It’s not about one person, it’s about the collective, it’s about the group and that’s what makes our team a special team. Nobody wants the recognition, nobody’s looking for it, nobody’s seeking it, nobody’s patting themselves on the back. Everybody understands, let’s just go play together and I’m proud of your success just as I know you’ll be proud of my success.”

Q: On having several Pro Bowlers each of his first three seasons as a Head Coach

Ryans: “We have a lot of talented guys on our team. For the guys to get the recognition for Pro Bowl, starting off with Nico [Collins]. Nico, everybody understands. Nico, he’s very deserving. The defensive guys, Will [Anderson Jr.], Azeez and [Derek] Stingley, we have really good players. The one thing about the Pro Bowl that’s cool is you get the recognition from not only fans, but from your peers and other coaches around the league that watch the tape every single week and they know what you’re doing out there. When you get the respect of your peers, it means more. I’m happy for all those guys to get the respect that they deserve, especially here in Houston, where we don’t get talked about much. But hey, they’re getting respect now and I’m proud of all those guys.”

Q: On the status of T Aireontae Ersery and T Trent Brown

Ryans: “We’ll see how it goes. Everybody knows we’re banged up at tackle and we’ll see. We’re on a short week here, we’ll see how that pans out for us.”

Q: On if he feels like the team is going into a playoff atmosphere against the Los Angeles Chargers

Ryans: “No doubt about it, it is definitely a playoff game. It was a playoff game for us last week. Understanding the importance of us getting that win, it was huge last week. That’s where you want to be in December. You want to be playing meaningful games and that’s what this team has earned. Every week from here on out, how can you continue to improve your position? Right now, this is a playoff game versus the [Los Angeles] Chargers. We know they have a lot to play for; we have a lot to play for. How else would you want it? It’s an exciting time; it’ll be an exciting game. Two really good teams that play the game the right way, a well-coached team. I really respect Coach Harbaugh for what he’s done to get that team in the playoffs two years in a row, since he’s been there. They have a really great quarterback in [Los Angeles Chargers QB] Justin Herbert, who’s done a really nice job. A great running back, so it’s going to be a challenge, a challenge that we’re up for.”

Q: On if he’s referencing teams still fighting for a playoff spot when he’s talking about “December football.”

Ryans: “Yeah, that’s why the schedules are set up the way they’re set up. They set it up a way to make it really exciting. In December, teams have a lot to play for, especially having the divisional matchups later in the season. It’s exciting, and you always… Something’s on the line each game. That keeps me tuned in, keeps everyone tuned in, but as we play and as we coach, we understand when that ball is kicked off, we got to be on our details. We got to go out, execute as best as we can possibly play and then we got to finish the game.”

Q: On if he was surprised that CB Derek Stingley Jr. never scored a touchdown until last week

Ryans: “It was very surprising to me that Stingley had never had a [touchdown]. I had to ask him actually in the game. I asked him, ‘Is that your first pick six?’ He’s like, ‘Yeah, first one since high school.’ It’s impressive. I was shocked because of a guy with such great hands as Stingley has and how he intercepts the football, he’s such a talented guy. I was shocked that he hadn’t had one since high school. But we needed it on Sunday and I’m happy he got it then.”

Q: On if he’s encouraged by the fact that there’s still room to grow

Ryans: “We always have a huge opportunity to improve, and my guys get on me. I never let them slip on what we have to improve upon. They do a lot of good things, and I’ll let you pat them on the back for all the good things and I’ll go in on the things we have to improve upon. I’m always trying to keep that edge and that’s how I coach. I’m always trying to keep an edge and let our guys know there’s always better. You can always do more, and we didn’t play our best, but we got the win. I’m always happy for the win. Also, there’s room for encouragement. There’s room for improvement on all three phases. Can we make those improvements this week? We’re going to need to play our best to beat this Chargers team because they are a very talented team. We got to bring it.”