Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud remains in the NFL’s concussion protocol, casting uncertainty over his availability for Sunday’s matchup against the Tennessee Titans.
According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC, the frontrunner for Rookie of the Year will be absent from Thursday’s practice. A decision on his status might be clearer after Friday’s practice, offering a better indication of whether he’ll be fit to play.
Stroud left last Sunday’s defeat to the New York Jets during the fourth quarter, replaced by Davis Mills. Struggling in that game, Stroud had one of his poorest performances this season, completing only 10 of 23 passes for 91 yards without a touchdown. It marked just the third time this season he failed to throw a touchdown in a game.
Despite the setback, the Ohio State product has fashioned an impressive rookie season as a quarterback. With 3,631 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, and five interceptions, he has propelled the Texans to a 7-6 record, matching their combined win total from the last two seasons.
If Stroud remains sidelined, Davis Mills will once again take charge. Across 26 NFL starts in the past two seasons, Mills holds a 5-19-1 record as Houston’s primary starter. Although the team has significantly improved around Mills this season, the drop in quarterback performance will likely be substantial.
Houston, currently part of a six-way tie for the final two Wild Card playoff spots in the AFC, faces a pivotal game against the Titans. Losing Stroud for this crucial matchup could severely dent their postseason aspirations.
