The Houston Texans may have to brace themselves to play without C.J. Stroud this weekend.
For the second straight day, the rookie quarterback missed Thursday’s practice. Stroud remains in the concussion protocol, jeopardizing his chances of getting cleared before Sunday’s game against the Tennessee Titans.
For a second straight day today, Texans’ QB C.J. Stroud did not practice due to being in concussion protocol.
Davis Mills would be Houston’s expected starting QB Sunday if Stroud is not cleared.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 14, 2023
Stroud’s head landed hard on the MetLife Stadium turf after getting dragged down by Quinnen Williams. The New York Jets defensive lineman hit Stroud after he got rid of the ball during the fourth quarter of Sunday’s 30-6 Texans loss.
Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said Wednesday that his franchise quarterback was “getting a little bit better.”
A runaway favorite for Offensive Rookie of the Year, Stroud has instantly reversed Houston’s fortunes during a sensational debut. The No. 2 pick from Ohio State has posted a 98.7 quarterback rating with 20 touchdowns and five interceptions.
Stroud even began generating MVP buzz when accruing 470 yards and five touchdowns in a 39-37 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. But if a three-interception game against the Arizona Cardinals didn’t derail that crusade, last Sunday’s 91 passing yards probably removed the 22-year-old too far behind Brock Purdy and Dak Prescott.
Yet Stroud and the Texans are more concerned with earning a playoff spot. At 7-6, they’re tied with five other AFC squads in a wild-card traffic jam. ESPN gives Houston a 44.1 percent probability of making the postseason and an 8 percent chance of passing the Jacksonville Jaguars to win the AFC South.
Those chances could take a hit without Stroud.
The Texans would turn to Davis Mills, who started 26 games over the last two seasons. After holding his own with an 88.8 quarterback rating as a rookie, the third-round pick tied Prescott with an NFL-high 15 interceptions in as many games last season.