Head Coach DeMeco Ryans
"First off, I would like to start by saying, as an organization, our thoughts and prayers are with all those families affected by the tragedy that happened in New Orleans. Hate to see that for anyone and it's just hard to see what happened there. So, we're praying for those families affected and for the city of New Orleans."
On the things they can do to improve the run game going into the playoffs
"With our running game. What we can do to get it going is just staying with it and making sure we just sustain our blocks. I think it's just about how we finish on our blocks when we're on people, can we stay attached and can we finish? Especially at the second level. Can we be on guys and finish the proper way? Allowing for those run lanes to increase and our backs continuing to hit it playing fast, that'll help us in the run game."
On if WR Diontae Johnson has gotten enough preparation in to be ready to play on Sunday
"Yeah, Diontae will be out there this week."
On what he has liked about WR Diontae Johnson so far
"Diontae, he's come in and he's put his head down and he's worked. He's working hard to catch up with the playbook and the things that we're asking him to do. And again, this is really, what? Second day out practicing with us? So, he's picking it up pretty fast and we'll try to put him in situations where we can utilize him and utilize his strengths."
On what he has seen from the players in practice coming off the loss against the Ravens and in preparation for the next game
"The mindset of our team and what I feel is renewed energy. Guys getting away for a minute, I feel renewed energy. I feel our guys are upbeat, excited about the opportunity to go up to Tennessee and play a really tough opponent. Our guys are in a really good spot mentally, physically and we're excited to just go and compete."
On how they go about moving players around on the offensive line with the injuries they have had this season
"With our offensive line just having [G] Shaq [Mason] out for the amount of time that he's been out, we just – we'll continue to move guys around and see what combination works best for us. So, we'll see different guys in different spots and still just trying to make sure we get our best guys out there to help us. We play well when we play well up front on both sides of the football. Football is won always up front and so we'll continue to mix guys up there. Try to solidify protection, run game, all those things. If those guys play well, everyone around them plays well."
On how they will determine how long starters will play on Sunday
"We'll see how the game goes."
On the plan for LB Azeez Al-Shaair and what he wants to see from him now that he will get reps with players he has not played with this season
"Yeah, want to see Azeez just get back out there and play football. It has been three weeks since he's been able to get out there and play, so it's just a matter of getting back out, hitting guys, getting used to hitting the ground again, getting up, making sure everything is still – it takes reps and real live reps when you miss this much – the time that he's missed, you have to get that real live action. And that's what he needs. Getting back to it – he's excited to get back out there and play for us and we're excited to have him back. We've really missed his leadership, missed his communication, not only on the defensive side, but for our entire team. So, I'm fired up to have him back for us."
On what he thinks about LB Azeez Al-Shaair's conversation with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell during his suspension
"I think Azeez, he's handled himself really well throughout this entire suspension and that's just him, just a matter of, from my perspective, of making sure that he talks to the powers that be in the NFL, so they can really, truly understand who he is as a man."
On what he has learned about the team and himself going into their final regular season contest
"Great question there. I think the one thing I've learned about our team is our guys, they continue to be tight, they continue to grow tighter as the season grows longer. We've been at it longer than anybody with the Hall of Fame game starting out earlier than everybody. So, we've been going at football for a long time now. And I really like just the resolve of our team and how we've continued to grow and mature throughout the season, throughout the ups and downs, which happen to every team throughout a season. I feel like our guys have handled that well and they've rebounded, they've responded when things haven't gone the right way for us. We're learning how to win games in different ways and fashions. That's where we are as a team, that's what it takes in this league to have that resilience and that's what I think our team is. I've learned our team is tight. Our team has the resilience that we need to have to be a good team moving forward."
On how QB C.J. Stroud has grown as a leader this season
"Going throughout the season, I think our young guys have – that second year is where you learn what it truly takes to be a pro and those things are not only on the field, but off the field. What are you doing? How are you conducting yourself when you're away from the building? What does it take preparation when you're here in the building? I think that second year, third year, that's when guys truly get their routine of what truly works for them and you have to lean on veteran guys and you have to also just grow through it. You have to make some – you have to hit some bumps along the road as a young player to understand your routine. We've all been there as young players and you have to figure out that routine. It doesn't happen instantly and you continue to grow and finetune that routine of what works for you as you get further along in your career."
On what he thinks CB Derek Stingley Jr. has done this season to be put into Pro Bowl conversations
"Yeah, Stingley has played good ball for us. He's made a lot of plays, taking the ball away. I think people have recognized what he's able to do around the league. I think he has the respect of his peers, coaches around the league. They see the growth. They see how he's stepped up and took on some tough challenges throughout the year. So, he deserves whatever credit that he's getting. I think it matters most when it's coming from your peers and coaches around the league. People who are constantly watching film, diving in and they know how they truly know how guys are playing and how they are helping their teams and I think Stingley has earned that respect around the league."
Quarterback C.J. Stroud
On his approach heading into the last regular season game before playoffs
"We just want to end the season the right way, on a positive note. We have to be ready to play and go to Tennessee who has a good defense up there and a lot of good players. We have to bring our A game and try to end the season the right way."
On thoughts on WR Diontae Johnson and if he will be able to help this team at the end of the season
"He is a really skilled route runner, very knowledgeable about the game, very eager and motivated to play well and that is something that I like. He is just really a smooth route runner and catches the ball really easy. I think he will do just fine here, and I am excited to work with him and build that connection."
On if he recalled the first day they met prior to this year
"Yeah, we met last year after the season at a signing, and we just chopped it up. I told him I was a big fan of his and loved his separation ability. In man coverage he separates really easily and has a good feel for the game. I have seen that on the film, and it is true even in person."
On the biggest lesson he has learned after this season
"I really haven't looked back. I am just trying as best as I can to look forward. I think after the season I will be able to do that but there are a lot of things that are different because it is a different year. This is life things change, and I feel like this year I learned a lot about myself and my team. A bunch of things about life but I haven't gone back to think about it too much."
On what he wants to see from himself this week
"Just be myself and try as best as I can to make plays and that is what my job is and to get guys lined up. Make sure guys are doing their jobs the right way and communicating well. Then, of course, throwing the pill. Just want to get back to feeling good again, I feel like I am getting better so that helps."
On if there are any injury related issues that he wants to address
"No, in the season everybody is banged up."
On how it feels to have LB Azeez Al-Shaair back on the field and how he was able to be there for him during the suspension
"It is great to have them back. I am really happy that he is back. I know he is very motivated to play and I am excited for him. It is his former team, and he is able to end the season the right way going into the playoffs. He is a leader, and we need him around and I think that is definitely going to help this team."
On if it is important to get playing time this last week to get back on track before playoffs
"I can say DeMeco [Ryans] has a plan for us and we have to trust his plan and to go out there and play. I am excited and it is a blessing to be able to go out and play in this league whenever it is. We are excited to play Tennessee and even more excited to play in the playoffs but I don't think that this could help us."
On thoughts on CB Derek Stingley Jr.'s chance to make Pro Bowl and what he has done to prove himself
"He is probably the best athlete I have been around in my life. Ball skills, speed, strength, size and just someone who I have seen grow as a player. I am just very happy for him, especially having this type of year before I think he can renegotiate. I know he is about to get a bag and I am happy for him, he deserves it. That is not his motivation, which is dope, it is just being elite at football, and I think he is going to be great in this league for a long time."
On thoughts on playing January football in the league
"It is a new season, new excitement, 0-0. It is all about winning that week. When you dumb it down it is like you have to win four more games and that is it. Of course, it is not that easy but you have to find a way to motivate yourself. It is motivation just to be able to continue. I think it is good for us, I don't know exactly what is being said but we put ourselves in this position. This is not by chance, it is not by luck, it is not about other people. It is about us being a good football team and I want my team to remember that. People are going to talk, simple and plain. We are the ones out there playing and we got into the playoffs by being a good football team and we are going to continue to be that. I am excited. It is 0-0 and hopefully we get healthy going into there and being able to play, whoever we play here, really tough and hopefully we get a win."
On how he balances his competitiveness to not get too high or too low
"I would say just be myself. I have kind of been this way my whole life. I have matured in a lot of ways in my life, both on and off the field. I would say failures have helped me realize what is important to me. Trying things that I didn't like, doing things that I didn't like and learning from it on and off the field has helped me with that calmness that I have now, even in chaos. It is just trial and error and that is why I try my best not to duck hardness or duck things that are difficult in life because ultimately the valleys teach you humility. They teach you how to get up and the Bible says that the 'righteous man falls down seven times, and he gets up', just like Peter, I want to get up. That is what I plan to do and why I am able to learn from my failures."
On his New Year resolution
"It is probably a lot. I don't know, I have never really believed in New Year resolutions. I kind of started this a couple months ago, this journey I started. Just really locked back in with the Lord. I was kind of in a lukewarm season, one foot in, one foot out. The Lord has helped me to get out of that so that is really my 2025 goal is just being locked in with the Lord as much as possible and fasting and praying, being a disciple and being a part of a church here in Houston which I have been able to do. That is my 2025 goal is just getting closer with the Lord."
