Head Coach DeMeco Ryans
Hope everyone is good. Just to start here just an update for Tank [Dell]. As we all know, It's unfortunately a significant knee injury. He dislocated his knee, he tore his ACL and some other things there that he will have to get repaired, so he'll be out for the year. Also, with Jimmie Ward mid foot sprain. He'll require surgery and he'll be out for the remainder of the year as well and Shaq [Mason] knee injury, he'll be week-to-week. Tough news, especially with Tank and Jimmie. Two great guys, great players. We'll miss them dearly. They meant a lot to our team and we know we have a lot to pick up losing those two guys, but those guys will attack the rehab the right away and they'll be back in due time. Our thoughts and prayers are still with them as they attack the rehab and knowing everything that's to come. They'll make a recovery."
On how he moves on so quickly from this even with it being a short week
"Yeah, for me it's [because] you know you have to. It's easy to sit in and still it hurts and it will always be there with us. I don't think the emotional piece will leave us because those guys are important pieces to our team and just really great people for our team and for our locker room. Meant a lot to us, so losing them is hard and it's hard to move on but what's in front of us, we're here. We got the Ravens coming into our house and we have to move on. Easier said than done of course with such tough news to hear, it's easier said than done but we have to and that's what we'll do. You have to have other guys step up and we have to move forward. Our next opponent, they don't care so we have to move forward, and we have to go play really good football against a really good team coming into our house."
On when WR Tank Dell will have surgery
"It will be soon."
On if CB Kamari Lassiter will play the nickel with S Jalen Pitre and S Jimmie Ward out
"We'll see how we move guys around in the back end. It's still a lot of moving pieces on a short week, so we'll see what we're able to do."
On how the leadership of the team helps on a short week
"Yeah, our guys understand that. My message to our guys is it's just about having laser focus. There are a lot of things as I mentioned yesterday that can pull our attention in many different directions. Physically, emotionally with everything that's going on right now with short week, Christmas. There are a lot of things that can pull our energy, but right now we have to be laser focused on Baltimore. That's what it is. There isn't any other thing that should be more important than Baltimore. That's where our focus is and that's where all of our energy is. Focused on Baltimore and it's a lot to focus on because they are such a talented team. They are playing really good football. I think Lamar is playing some of the best football he's played. Like he definitely jumps off the tape as the best player I've seen this year. You talk about MVP, he's definitely the MVP in my mind just for what he's doing not only in the run game, but also throwing the football. The accuracy, the decision making like he's playing unbelievable ball right now, so it's going to be a really tough challenge for us this week."
On if it's more difficult to add a new player on a short week
"Yeah, of course. It's hard to add anyone when we play in two days. It's unrealistic that someone is coming in and playing for us on Wednesday. We're rolling with what we have and what we have is good. I really like all of our guys. Like how our guys work and they understand what we're asking of them and we're going to go out and compete."
On if there were some things he saw on the tape from this past week that they can build off of
"For us, looking back from Kansas City, the thing that I look at with our team and where he can build on is we had our opportunities but in those critical moments in situation football when it came to third down and red zone, we have to improve in those areas. When we've won games, we've been good in those areas and when we've lost, we haven't been great in those areas. That's they key for us. How well do we play in those situations. If we play well then we'll have a good chance against this team because they're really good in those situations. Again, the good teams play great situational football. KC does and Baltimore does as well. They're really good in the red area and they're really good on third down as well and those will be the key plays of the game."
On ball security and how important turnovers will be in the outcome of the game
"For us, the ball is always important for us every week. No matter our opponent, the ball is always our major focus. We have to protect it and we have to take it away. That won't change."
On what he's seen from the Ravens defense and the adjustments they've made
"Defensively, I think they've done a really great job of eliminating the explosives. You can see they're playing more shell defense. More cover 2 mentality. They will also mix in the man coverage, but I think they're playing more sound. Everyone is where they're supposed to be in coverage. Guys are playing well together. Probably simplified things a little bit, allowing their guys to play faster and play together, that's what I see. They're a tough unit to run against starting with their defensive line. Big stout defensive line. Guys do a really great job of filling their gaps and knowing where they're supposed to be on the second level. They make it tough to run against them and then in the passing game they can play sticky man coverage. They'll mix up the looks with the tricky cover 2's. They've been doing a really great job of mixing it up and keeping the ball in front of them and eliminating the explosives."
On he has seen Zach Orr step in as a sound defensive coordinator after replacing Mike Macdonald
"Zach is doing a really outstanding job with his defense. People said things weren't going great, but he's done a great job of adjusting and that's what good coaches do. He's done a great job of adjusting and fitting the scheme to what his players do best right now. That's the makings of a good coach. Really admire what he's done as a young man and former player. How he's turned his coaching career and he's done a really good job. You talk about guys in Baltimore who have come through the coaching ranks under coach Harbaugh and there are a lot of great defensive coordinators who have moved on and become head coaches in other places and I think Zach is on that same track."
On what he's seen from WR Xavier Hutchinson and WR John Metchie III this season
"This time around, I think Hutch has done a really good job of making some key catches for us the past few games and he continues to get better each and every week that he goes out there. Encouraged by Hutch and what he's done. Metch, hopefully we'll have him this week and he can help us. It's going to take everyone as always. It's going to take everyone. Us just making smart decisions with the football and going to wherever the play calls for and we're going to whose open in those situations. It will be a collective effort and we know it will take everyone and our guys understand that someone has to step up opposite Nico. Someone has to step up and make plays for us. That will be the key to the game like who is that person that's going to step up and if that person does it the right way then that's who we'll be talking about post-game."
On somethings that he emphasizes to guys when it comes to rushing against a quarterback like Lamar Jackson
"The main thing when you're playing against Lamar is everyone has to be disciplined. Understand and have elite awareness of what he's capable of and I think everyone knows that by now. He can run it, whatever he wants to do. He can buy time and throw the ball down field, throw the deep passes. It's a matter of just working together as a defense. Not only D-line, but linebackers, secondary. It's everyone just working together. Being disciplined in our coverages, being disciplined in our rushes. Everyone just being dialed in."
On if the expectation with Tank's injury is that next season he will be able to play football again
"Right now, the focus is just on Tank going through this process. Getting a surgery and getting recovered and we'll deal with that when it comes. I don't think it's the time right now to discuss what's going to happen next year with Tank. Just allow him to get this time to heal up and recover."
On the other dimension of the Ravens offense with RB Derrick Henry
"Oh yeah that other part [laughs]. Can't forget about Derrick. Derrick is – man wow, when you talk about fast, explosive, physical like he's looking probably the best he's looked in his career. He's found that fountain of youth. He's running behind a really good offensive line and just schematically they're doing a great job of just using him to his strengths and you know he's running the football really well. Always a tough guy to tackle and always going to take more than one guy. Got to be aware of that stiff arm when he's out on the edge as well. He's a great player. It's fun to see guys rebound and bounce back the way that he's done this year. He's playing really good football. I think they're the top rushing team in the league because of him and what Lamar is capable of doing as well. To have that dual threat is really a problem for everyone. You don't get a break whether Lamar is touching it or Derrick is touching it. You have to be on you're A game for the entire game."
On how C/G Kendrick Green played
"I thought Kendrick did a great job of battling. He's physical. He played explosive and he did a really good job of just being competitive up front and that's what it takes for us to have firm pockets on the offensive line, especially in the interior. You just have to compete and that's what Kendrick did and I like what he did and we'll see how we can continue to improve there."
QB C.J. Stroud
On how the team is dealing with the emotions of losing WR Tank Dell due to injury
"It's not easy to see your brother go down like that after just dealing with a season injury last year. So, we've got to just be there for him and – yeah, it's not easy. I think everybody kind of saw how hard I took it. But I think I was good for – I don't know. There's not a lot to say. But this isn't the end for him. This is just another bump in the road and there's been plenty of players who have had season injuries back-to-back. I was talking to my agent this morning and he was talking about how [Chargers S] Derwin James [Jr.] went through the same thing and [Panthers CB] Jaycee Horn as well. They're playing good ball now. So, that's hope and there's always light at the end of the tunnel. And I think just for people to give Tank a little space right now and just pray for him from afar. Let him go through this because the worst thing that you want to hear is everything's going to be OK and all these types of things. Clearly, he doesn't want to hear that. So, it's good to say it and I think the truth – he needs to hear the truth. But let him spend this time with his family and try to just give him a little bit of room just to breathe and take in what's really going on and mentally, just get sane. So, it's not easy, but I'm going to be here for him and that's my brother through thick and thin, through life, I'm going to be here for him."
On if he has had a chance to talk to WR Tank Dell and tell him he's there for him
"He knows that, yeah. But I talked to him."
On how they can move on from the injuries and continue with the rest of the season
"It's life. You've got to keep chopping wood, keep carrying water. The position we're in, it's not a lot of times where you can sulk in your feelings for very long. You've got to just keep rolling. I think that's a testament to just life in general. Everybody has stuff on their plate. Everybody is going through something. And just because we're in this position, doesn't mean you get to feel sorry for yourself, or anything like that. No, you've got to keep rolling and I think us playing will help, winning helps. And, of course, it doesn't fill the whole void of the hurt, but it also can make you feel better in the moment. But I think the main thing, for us, is just to put our best foot forward and try to take these next weeks as serious as we can and focus on one thing at a time. And I think that's the recipe for what the rest of the season could be."
On how much he has seen from WRs Xavier Hutchinson and John Metchie III and their ability to play bigger roles
"I think you all have seen it. You all have seen it time and time again of Metch showing up, Hutch showing up. [WR Jared] J. Wayne going in there blocking and doing his thing. And I think those guys have another opportunity to show who they are and I know that they can do it. I see them in practice do it every week. So, I'm excited for them and it's a good opportunity for them to step up."
On how he is handling WR Tank Dell's injury emotionally and mentally
"I'm – best of my life, try to just be where my feet are at. Since I'm here in the facility, I've got to be here and I want to be here and game plan for the Ravens and do what we need to do to put our best foot forward and win this game and also when I get out of here, be where my are at there. So, that's just life. Everybody, like I said before, is going through something. I'm doing just fine, though. I'm the last person people should be worrying about. It's my brother that's on my mind. I just feel this way for him because I know how many people are depending on him and what he's done to put himself in this position to come back from injury and the thing's he's gone through. So, it's not easy, but this is the time where we've got to come together as a community and at the end of the day, it's not just about football. It's not just about the Texans. It's not just about winning the game. It's about a person who is going through a lot and we've got to be there for him and hold him up. And he's strong enough to hold himself up in certain ways. But those other things, just like, I hope you all have people to lean on when you're going through it and that's something that I have in my life. So, this is that time for that and just be where my feet are, I think, is the biggest thing for me right now."
On if he thinks it is important for people to see players showing emotion on the field when players go down due to injury
"Yeah, I do. My barber actually mentioned it to me and was like – he thought it was – because I wouldn't say I was second guessing it, but it was just not easy for me to sit there and be emotional. But it's something that we all go through in life and it's easy to be a fake tough guy. It's easy to go through life acting like everything doesn't affect you. But deep down, we all know we're going through something and, for me, I think it's good for young men and women out there, kids who are brought up and taught, and I was taught this too as a kid, not from my parents, but just from the world of, 'Don't let anybody see you emotional. Don't let anybody see you down.' And yeah, there's some truth to that in certain aspects, but there's also life and I think it was good to see people see me in that light and knowing that there is still a human factor to me. And I am a normal person. I make plenty of mistakes. I've made plenty of mistakes all my life that – it just is what it is. And to see something that he had really no control over and it's not easy, so that's where that comes from. And I think it's just what God is doing in my life. He's softening my heart in so many ways because I wouldn't have done that, probably, last year. But just the new creation that I am in Christ, I'm constantly growing and just knowing who He is and reading his word. And me and [WR] Tank [Dell] do a Bible study every week at least twice a week. And I hope that we can continue to keep going with that. But there's so much hope that we have and had and that stuff doesn't go anywhere just because tragedy strikes. So, I believe that we'll get past this. There is light at the end of the tunnel, but it might be some – it might be a long way to get there. And I think that was good for people to see that we're just normal people at the end of the day."
On if RB Joe Mixon being there for him when WR Tank Dell went down against the Chiefs is an example of how important of a veteran he is to the team
"Yeah, for sure. Same thing for Joe, if he was going through something similar, I would be right there to pick him up. So, he's right there for me. And I think, really, for me, it was just – it hit me so hard because I'm so close to Tank that I spend a lot of my time with him. And I consider him my actual brother. So, maybe it didn't resonate for people that way, but I think Metch, same thing. He wasn't at the game. I think it hit him the same way. So, when you're really close to somebody and see somebody go down like that and you spend so much time with them, you see how hard they work, you see the light that they are in this world and to see that be taken away just for a little bit, it's not easy to see. So, for Joe to be unselfish right there, because I know he was going through it too, to uplift his teammates is amazing and I'm just really happy that I have him on this team."
On what he his expecting from the receiver room as they try to fill the void of WR Tank Dell being out due to injury
"Just being themselves. They have the talents that God put in them for a reason. And this is another opportunity for them to go show and prove it. So, I think they'll do that and I'm excited to see."
On if he has had a chance to talk to WR Jared Wayne
"Yeah, so, with J. Wayne, I mean that guilt and that shame is something I deal with a lot too. And I think, for him, the best thing that he can do is just be around us. And I've been able to pray over him. We went to church yesterday morning. And I think, for him, I try to tell him just not to internalize it. It's football. God didn't cause this. Some things in life, it's just what the nature of what you're in, which is football. Things like that happen. And just because something tragic like that happens, doesn't mean you should point the finger at yourself or anyone else. It's part of the game. So, I feel for him. I understand what he's going through and I think it's good for him to be around just brothers right now and we've been able to actually build our relationship, even before this happened through the Lord. And I think that's how we've got to continue to go. So, I think just what he's feeling right now isn't easy and it's not something that I wish on my worst enemy. But it's something that I believe that had to happen, I guess and it's not easy to sit up here and say that because I wish it didn't. But we've got to be here for him just as much as we've got to be here for [WR] Tank [Dell] because you can just see it on him. And I think it's important for us to be around him."
On how they can prepare for Baltimore on a short week while also dealing with injuries
"You've got to – next man up mentality. You've got to – if your number is called, you've got to make the play. So, we're all prepared for these moments. [Head Coach] DeMeco [Ryans] does a great job of competition periods in practice during the season for practice squad guys to get an opportunity to play against the starters and I think that's good for them. It's an opportunity for them to step up and rise to the occasion. So, yeah, I think that this is something that – it happens on everybody's team. Injuries happen to everybody. So, it's not easy to say that's the worst part of our sport, but it's a part of it and you've got to be prepared for it. I think [Executive Vice President and General Manager] Nick [Caserio] has done a good job of that and DeMeco has done a good job of preparing us that way to have that next-man mentality up. And to be able to execute at a high level when your number is called."
Offensive Coordinator Bobby Slowik
On navigating the emotions of losing WR Tank Dell
"Like we have talk about before when we have lost some guys, you can't replace a Tank Dell. You can't replace a [WR] Stefon Diggs, you can't replace a TE Brevin Jordan. Each of them brings things that make them special. I think Tank has a lot of things in football that make him special, and he was showing them on Saturday against the Chiefs. We don't ever really approach it that way, how do we replace, how do we do the same things. It's always an individual and week to week basis. What does everyone on our current roster going into this game do well? How do we excel at putting them in those positions so that they can excel and really amplify their strengths."
On issues with wide receiver screens with the offense
"The last two games we didn't execute them well enough. Really before the last two games, yards per play we were one of the best in the league in wide receiver screens. Then we were off on our details is really what it comes down to. You need plays that are easy plays. The worst thing that could happen at the end of the day is an incompletion is what you are going for on those. You are making sure you are not getting in the negative and you have the potential for a very efficient play. Even just a chunk to some of the guys we are getting the ball to on a lot of these. Early in the year we had that but along with that, when you are really good at it defenses know you are going to be really good at it and they key in on it and they practice it. That just amplifies the detail you have to have to execute it. Our details the last two weeks weren't as good as prior to that."
On the emotional struggle of continuing to play after WR Tank Dell got injured
"Once you start going, you don't have any choice but to keep going with just how hard the NFL is with the pressure you have on any given play. As it continues after that everyone starts to hone in more and more but we are all human. A lot of it was more of, how do we help each other? How do we continue to emphasize and reiterate that we still have a game that we still have to find a way to go win. We had our chances, we had our opportunities that we didn't make the plays on but they were there for us. That is really what we have been focusing on this week. We have a very tight group. It has been one of the more enjoyable things I have been a part of is just how much a family the Houston Texans are. All the way across the organization and the players love each other. Truly they love each other. That this week has truly been the focus of how do we take this bond, bring the guys that aren't with us anymore along for the ride as we go through and we play every game and see what we can do."
On what stands out about the Baltimore Ravens
"They are tough. They are the number one run defense in the NFL and that shows. That makes it extremely difficult because obviously the way their team is built and the way their team is structured. Their offense is out there balling right now, their defense has played really well run defense in the last four games. Their pass defense is significantly better than it was prior to that. They really cut down on the explosives they have given up. To beat a team like Baltimore, to beat a team like Detroit, Buffalo, Kansas City, you have to play good team football. That is our emphasize this week, you have to play good team football. Along with that on offense, on our part we have to stay on the field. We have to score when we get into the redzone. To stay on the field and sustain drives you have to be efficient in the run game. When you are going against a team that is number one in run defense that is a big challenge for us that we are doing everything we can to get ready for. We will continue to hammer away at the pass game, and we will make sure we create efficient plays and find explosives. "
On how they will adjust the offensive line if C/G Juice Scruggs returns
"[C/G] Juice [Scruggs] is fighting his tail off and we will see where he ends up this week and down the road. This is kind of a week-to-week thing. I think every week we are approaching it on what we have to do this week and what is best for us thing week. We will cross that bridge when we get to it."
On if there is a difference in having younger players switching positions compared to older ones
"I would say Juice's rookie year in training camp he was swinging in all interior three. The right side isn't foreign to him, the left side is not foreign to him. I think at one point in his rookie year because of injuries we had to bump him out to tackle. He defiantly had never done that before, that was brand new. He has bounced around and had some reps at all of them. Tytus [Howard] not having a rep at left side in what feels like a year and four weeks, maybe it wasn't quite that, but it was a long time. Especially from tackle to guard and how long he had played tackle. I felt like that was a very tough ask that he was willing to do and went out and played really well. I was really proud of him for doing that and continuing to do that. I think Juice will be ready for whatever we ask him to do."
On if the play book changes when going through so many injuries
"Yeah, it kind of changes all the time. You have a vison in camp of what it is going to be and build upon that vision and then you get to Week One, Week Two, Week Three of the NFL and things start to change. Even things you may have been good at the previous year you are not as good at for multitude of reasons. Then you start going in directions, you start trending in different ways and as you go through the season there are ebbs and flows all the way through that and where you are leaning as you go through each and every game is dependent of how people are playing and what we are doing really well. The defense we are going against as well, the personnel we have to deploy. I think it is endless how much you are changing the play book as a whole. At the same time, I do think there is always staples. Every offense, every defense has staples that we do that we are really good at. It doesn't really matter what they do, we are going to have these in, we are going to call these and our running back is going to be able to go execute them, our tackle is going to be able to go execute them, our quarterback and receivers can do this at a very high level. Those don't change but there is a lot of things around them that you are endlessly manipulating."
On the issues with getting the run game going
"We had some games in there that was tough sledding, and we didn't do as good as we wanted to. If we are being honest, the last two weeks I didn't call a lot of runs. [RB] Joe [Mixon] is not going to get 100 yards when I am giving him the ball 12 times. That is hard to do. That was also our outlook as an offense, we knew the previous two games we were going into it thinking we had to throw the ball to open up the run game and we really thought we could. I thought C.J. did a good job, I thought C.J. last game played his best game. I really did. I thought the things he put out there against Kansas City, how firm his back foot was on some of these throws, how he was hanging in there in the pocket, how good our protection was, how receivers were running routes. We really felt good about the pass game against Kansas City early on and the week before also. That was more of a starting point of how we wanted to approach the game. There is no question, we know we got some room to improve in the run game and we will continue to strive to do that. In playoff football, the run game is going to be a huge part."
On the difference on the Ravens explosiveness this year
"I happened to catch [Steelers Head Coach] Mike Tomlin comment on getting ready to play Baltimore before this last week and he mentioned how much softer and how disciplined their safeties and their corners have started to play. I think that is noticeable. I think early in the year there was some mental mistakes that caused some issues, but they were also playing a little more aggressive. They were ready to trigger on things a lot more. Since then, they have really backed it up and challenged offenses to sustain drives all the way down the field over and over again. Then their offense gets on the field, and you blink and there is seven points back on the board and you have to do it again. It becomes hard to strain in that way and they have done a good job playing to their teams' strengths."
