How much was your back bothering you before this, and what did you have to do to get it ready to play?
Man, I'm hurting right now. But just a lot of treatment, man. Just trying to stay on top day to night from Friday to Saturday to Sunday. I had get up early. I usually sleep in on game day, but I got here at like 7:30 to try to get it right, and it worked out. Finished the game and we came out with a win.
Chris, I know it's something you've been dealing with. So did Friday take you kind of by surprise since you had been managing it kind of on a scale?
Yeah, it kind of did. I woke up on Friday morning, it kind of was hurting a little bit. I went into treatment and then I just, I didn't feel right to be honest. So like I said, they told me to sit out of practice just for being cautious. But I always wanted to play though, so I just try to stay on top of the treatment all Friday and Saturday, and I'm grateful to be able to come out here and play today.
And you said that you've dealt with this since back in college, but I mean, is there anything this year that has exacerbated it?
Not really, man. It's just something that I got to stay on top of. A lot of core work, a lot of hips and stuff, but it's just something I got stay on top of.
Well, especially since you're going through all that. Is 100 [receptions] a special number?
Oh yeah, for sure, man. I'm super grateful, man. I give all glory to God, my close people, my Pops, they always believe in me, man. They always talk positive to me from last year. So, I'm super grateful to be able to reach that number.
Getting that number on a 60-yarder too?
Oh yeah, for sure. Especially coming on a win. That means a lot. It was a great win. We fought back. We always stayed positive and knew we were going to have a chance, so I'm glad we got the win.
Out of all the numbers, playing 16 out of 16 games means something? Like I know we talked to you last week about what you went through last year. And now you're on track to play in every single game this year. What does that mean?
It means a lot, man. I think it's going to be my first time in my NFL career playing 17. It means a lot, man. That was one of my goals, one of my main goals for this year is try to play all 17. Playing through injuries, playing through all that, so I'm super grateful, like I said. I got to give all glory to God to be in this position. We just got to finish next week.
Is that why you push through to play? I mean, there's a scenario where it's late in the season, your record is what it is, you could have easily taken off.
Of course, man, of course. Try and get Tyler [Shough] that rookie of the year, too.
Do you feel like you did?
I feel like he got a good chance. I don't know, whoever. I think (Tetairoa) McMillan up there, but I don't know what he did today. But I feel he had a great game today.
One catch, five yards.
Oh yeah. Definitely. He should be at the top after this game. He went crazy today.
What did you make, we've seen Kevin Austin on this team a handful of times and up and down to see him make that big play there at the end of the game, what do you think of him?
Man, he's a great dude, man. All credit to him. Just the way he shows up to work, he wasn't getting too many reps. He's on the practice squad early in the year, getting released, coming back, getting released, coming back. It's a lot of credit to him, man. When his moment came, he was ready. When his number was called, he was ready. He had a big touchdown for us today. Even early in a game, he had a big play. And like I said, it was all credit to him and (Dante) Pettis too. He had a great game. Even with the fumble, I feel like he had a great game.
Chris, you said you guys feel like you're never out of a game. I mean, you've been around for some teams that didn't have that. When did that develop this year and what led to it?
I think it's just the guys in the locker room, man. It's the guys in the locker rooms, the older guys, Demario (Davis), Cam (Jordan). They're such great leaders and we got a great leader at quarterback, too. And Kellen (Moore), he kind of changed the locker room around, changed the culture around. I feel like it's only up from here, really. I know we got, we're 6-10 right now. But I'm super proud of us fighting back and I can't wait for the future.
What is a day like today to tell you about Tyler Shough? Just the stretch he's having, but specifically when you guys are getting to shoot out and you need a response, he delivers it?
Man, when the moment comes you have to make a play and he's done that every single time. He delivered every single time this year and it's not really much to say. I feel like when the opportunity presents itself, he's making the play every time. So you can't really teach that. He's a winner from what I've seen. So, I can't wait to build around this and like I said, I'm looking forward to the future.
When Austin Estime is able to kind of open up the ground game in the second half did that just open up things for the offense as a whole?
Man, he's been great since he got here. I know he got here last month. But ever since he's got here, I feel like every game he's making huge plays for us. That touchdown he had was huge for us. We were up one, and we needed to score. So, I feel the run game, we were struggling in the first half. We didn't really have no run game in the first half, but in the second half he's breaking runs, 10-yard runs, nine-yard runs. Kind of helped Kellen (Moore) out with the play calling a lot. He's been great for us.
And after seeing the fumble recovery for a touchdown, is Chase Young going to have any offensive plays going forward?
Oh yeah, I don't know. He's been ballin' all year. He has been balling all year, his energy's great. He's another leader in the locker room. He is a hell of a player, man. I went to college with him. I've seen it all in college, so I'm super glad he's having a breakout year.
Were you one of the guys getting on him for his ball security out there?
Oh no, I feel like he's big, so I don't think he's going to let go of that ball. And he's trying to score, too. So like I said, I'm super proud of him. And I'm grateful he's on our team.
