Tag: C.J. Stroud

Texans QB C.J. Stroud (concussion) participates fully at practice

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Houston Texans got promising news on Wednesday as quarterback C.J. Stroud was a full participant at practice after missing the last three games because of a concussion.

Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said Stroud remains in concussion protocol and will start Sunday’s game at AFC Central-leading Indianapolis (8-3) if he clears.

“C.J. (Stroud) has been our starter when he’s out there,” Ryans said. “He’s played well for us. He’s done some really nice things when it comes to delivering the football where it needs to be. He’s one of the best in the league at doing that. So, we’re hoping that he gets back, so he can get out there and help us.”

Stroud, 24, practiced just once last week — and it was in a limited capacity on Thursday. He sustained the concussion in Houston’s 18-15 loss to the Denver Broncos on Nov. 2. In his absence, Davis Mills has led the Texans (6-5) to three wins in as many starts to bring the team back into playoff contention after an 0-3 start.

Houston is one game behind the Los Angeles Chargers, Jacksonville Jaguars and Buffalo Bills, the teams who currently hold the AFC wild-card spots with 7-4 records.

Stroud has 1,702 passing yards, 11 touchdowns and five interceptions in eight starts this season. Mills has completed 58.7% of his passes for 879 yards, five touchdowns and one interception in five games (three starts) this season.

Safety Jalen Pitre, who also is in concussion protocol, was limited at practice Wednesday, as was offensive tackle Trent Brown (hand).

Offensive tackle Blake Fisher (illness), linebacker Jamal Hill (hamstring), cornerback Ajani Carter (hamstring) and defensive end Denico Autry (knee) did not practice.

–Field Level Media

Texans QB C.J. Stroud remains in concussion protocol to start Week 13

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud remains in concussion protocol.

Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said Stroud, who has missed the last three games since sustaining a concussion in Houston’s Nov. 2 loss to Denver, will start Sunday’s game at Indianapolis (8-3) if he clears the protocol this week.

In Stroud’s absence, Davis Mills has led the Texans (6-5) to three wins in as many starts to bring the team back into playoff contention after an 0-3 start.

Houston is one game behind the Los Angeles Chargers, Jacksonville Jaguars and Buffalo Bills, the teams who currently hold the AFC wild-card spots with 7-4 records.

Stroud has 1,702 passing yards, 11 touchdowns and five interceptions in eight starts this season. Mills has completed 58.7% of his passes for 879 yards, five touchdowns and one interception in five games (three starts) this season.

Stroud practiced just once last week on Thursday in a limited capacity. His status on Wednesday’s injury report could be indicative of his potential status for this week’s game.

–Field Level Media

Texans’ QB C.J. Stroud (concussion) back at practice

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud took part in a light practice Tuesday but has not yet cleared concussion protocol.

The team in on a short week, with the Buffalo Bills coming to Houston for a Thursday night game.

Stroud, 24, missed the past two weeks. Davis Mills started at quarterback and led the Texans (5-5) to back-to-back wins against the Jacksonville Jaguars and Tennessee Titans.

It appears likely Mills will start Thursday against the Bills (7-3).

Stroud was injured during the second quarter of an 18-15 home loss to the Denver Broncos on Nov. 2 when the back of his helmet struck the turf at the end of a scramble.

In the two-plus games since the injury to Stroud, Mills is 70-of-116 passing (60.3%) for 703 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. He has added one rushing TD.

Stroud has passed for 1,702 yards with 11 TDs and five interceptions this season. Since being drafted No. 2 overall in 2023, the only other games he has missed were also due to a concussion in Weeks 15-16 of his rookie season.

–Field Level Media

Texans QB C.J. Stroud to miss 2nd game with concussion

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The Houston Texans have ruled out quarterback C.J. Stroud for the second straight week due to a concussion.

Coach DeMeco Ryans said Thursday that safety Jalen Pitre (concussion) and kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn (quad) will also be sidelined when the Texans (4-5) visit the Tennessee Titans (1-8) on Sunday.

Davis Mills will make his second consecutive start in Stroud’s absence after throwing for 292 yards and two touchdowns in last weekend’s 36-29 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Stroud, 24, was injured during the second quarter of an 18-15 home loss to the Denver Broncos on Nov. 2 when the back of his helmet struck the turf at the end of a scramble.

Stroud has passed for 1,702 yards with 11 TDs and five interceptions this season. Since being drafted No. 2 overall in 2023, the only other games he has missed were also due to a concussion in Weeks 15-16 of his rookie season.

Mills, 27, made his first start since 2022 last weekend. He has played in 41 games over five seasons with the Texans, including 11 starts as a rookie in 2021 and 15 starts the following year.

–Field Level Media

Texans QB C.J. Stroud (concussion) ruled out vs. Jaguars

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Houston Texans ruled out quarterback C.J. Stroud for Week 10 with a concussion, pushing backup Davis Mills into the starting role for Sunday’s home game against division rival Jacksonville.

“Where we are right now with the concussion protocol, I do not see C.J. playing this week,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said on Wednesday.

Stroud was injured early in the second quarter of an 18-15 home loss to the Denver Broncos. He was scrambling downfield and went into a late slide before Denver cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine delivered a blow to Stroud’s midsection.

The back of Stroud’s helmet hit the turf, sparking concern because of Stroud’s multiple documented head injuries.

Ryans said the Texans won’t bring Stroud back until he’s confident the 24-year-old is healthy.

“Whenever he’s ready to be back, we’re going to be as smart, as diligent as possible,” Ryans said.

Mills, 27, replaced Stroud and completed 17 of 30 passes for 137 yards last week.

Mills made 26 starts over his first two seasons (2021-22) with the Texans and compiled a 5-19-1 record. All of his starts came before Stroud was the No. 2 choice in the 2023 NFL Draft. Case Keenum was the starter when Stroud was out two games due to a concussion as a rookie.

The Texans (3-5) are chasing the Indianapolis Colts (7-2) and Jaguars (5-3) in the AFC South.

“Davis is a super, super smart guy, sharp guy. Just seeing how he operates in the huddle,” Ryans said. “Now it’s about post-snap. Post-snap, can we go through, can we make the proper reads, can we get to the right spot with the football and can we just execute?

“Davis doesn’t have to do too much. We just all have to do our jobs. Nobody has to step up and do anything different.”

Mills has completed 62.3% of his passes for 6,327 yards, 35 touchdowns and 25 interceptions in 40 games (26 starts).

Stroud, 24, has passed for 1,702 yards and 11 touchdowns against five interceptions this season.

The last time he missed a game because of injury was Weeks 15 and 16 as a rookie in 2023, also due to a concussion.

–Field Level Media

Nov 2, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) throws during the first half against the Denver Broncos at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sean Thomas-Imagn Images

Texans QB C.J. Stroud injured vs. Broncos

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud was evaluated for a concussion after hitting his head on the turf while attempting to scramble for a first down early in the second quarter against the Denver Broncos on Sunday.

Broncos cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine levied a blow to the midsection of Stroud as he attempted to slide for a first down with 13:49 remaining in the first half. The hit resulted in Stroud slamming the back of his helmet against the turf. After receiving attention from the training staff, Stroud departed under his own power and was later escorted to the home locker room.

Davis Mills replaced Stroud under center with the Texans leading 3-0 and led a drive for an additional Houston field goal.

The Broncos responded with a touchdown drive and now lead 7-6 late in the second quarter.

–Field Level Media

May 1, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud attends game six of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs between the Denver Nuggets and the LA Clippers at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Texans QB C.J. Stroud resumes throwing

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud was throwing without any limitations during the team’s first minicamp practice on Tuesday.

Stroud did not throw last week at Houston’s organized team activities, with head coach DeMeco Ryans referring to “general soreness” as the reason that the quarterback wasn’t testing his arm.

Stroud downplayed the situation with reporters on Tuesday.

“I was already throwing — before you guys see me out there — pretty normally,” Stroud said. “I think y’all don’t have much to talk about so everything just gets blown up in the offseason. I’m fine, man. I’m really OK.

“… I felt great. I’m very grateful to be back out on the field. A little rusty, made some throws, missed some throws. Just very grateful to be out there with the guys.”

Ryans explained his decision to sit Stroud as a means of protecting himself.

“C.J.’s a competitor,” Ryans said. “Last week, C.J. was adamant about going out and practicing. It just showed the type of person C.J. is. For me, as the head coach, it’s important for me to make sure that we’re protecting him. … Not really worried about the outside opinions of other people. Nobody knows the information about our players more than me. I’m going to make sure I always do what’s in the best interest of our players, first and foremost, with their health and wellness. So that’s why the decision was made with C.J. today and he looked pretty fine.”

Stroud, 23, followed up Offensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2023 by seeing his numbers dip in 2024. His yards per game dropped from 273.9 in 2023 to 219.2 in 2024, and his interception total jumped from five to 12.

In two seasons with the Texans, Stroud is 19-13 with 43 touchdowns, 7,835 yards and a 93.7 passer rating. The No. 2 overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft also has two wild-card playoff wins under his belt.

–Field Level Media

May 1, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud attends game six of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs between the Denver Nuggets and the LA Clippers at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Texans QB C.J. Stroud resumes throwing

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud was throwing without any limitations during the team’s first minicamp practice on Tuesday.

Stroud did not throw last week at Houston’s organized team activities, with head coach DeMeco Ryans referring to “general soreness” as the reason that the quarterback wasn’t testing his arm.

Stroud downplayed the situation with reporters on Tuesday.

“I was already throwing — before you guys see me out there — pretty normally,” Stroud said. “I think y’all don’t have much to talk about so everything just gets blown up in the offseason. I’m fine, man. I’m really OK.

“… I felt great. I’m very grateful to be back out on the field. A little rusty, made some throws, missed some throws. Just very grateful to be out there with the guys.”

Ryans explained his decision to sit Stroud as a means of protecting himself.

“C.J.’s a competitor,” Ryans said. “Last week, C.J. was adamant about going out and practicing. It just showed the type of person C.J. is. For me, as the head coach, it’s important for me to make sure that we’re protecting him. … Not really worried about the outside opinions of other people. Nobody knows the information about our players more than me. I’m going to make sure I always do what’s in the best interest of our players, first and foremost, with their health and wellness. So that’s why the decision was made with C.J. today and he looked pretty fine.”

Stroud, 23, followed up Offensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2023 by seeing his numbers dip in 2024. His yards per game dropped from 273.9 in 2023 to 219.2 in 2024, and his interception total jumped from five to 12.

In two seasons with the Texans, Stroud is 19-13 with 43 touchdowns, 7,835 yards and a 93.7 passer rating. The No. 2 overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft also has two wild-card playoff wins under his belt.

–Field Level Media

Aug 1, 2024; Canton, Ohio, USA; Houston Texans quarterback Davis Mills (10) throws the ball during the first quarter against the Chicago Bears at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images

Reports: Texans to sign QB Davis Mills through 2025

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Backup quarterback Davis Mills and the Houston Texans are in agreement on a one-year contract extension that will cover the 2025 season, per multiple reports Tuesday.

The contract also includes incentives based on playing time, according to NFL Network. He will back up C.J. Stroud, who was named the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year last season.

The Texans picked Mills in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft, and he was thrust into starting duty as a rookie amid Deshaun Watson’s legal issues that year and again in 2022 following the trade of Watson to the Cleveland Browns.

Mills started 26 games in those seasons, winning five of them. Stroud was drafted No. 2 overall in 2023 and took over as the starter, with Mills appearing in six games last season.

In 34 games, Mills, 25, has completed 62.8 percent of his pass attempts for 5,955 yards with 35 touchdowns and 25 interceptions. He threw an NFL-high 15 picks in 2022.

–Field Level Media

Dec 10, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) walks off the field after an apparent injury during the second half against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Texans QB C.J. Stroud (concussion) ready to practice

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Houston Texans rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud is expected to practice Wednesday after missing the last two games while in concussion protocol, NFL Network and KPRC reported.

In his absence, the Texans (8-7) defeated the Tennessee Titans on the road in overtime in Week 15 before losing by 14 points at home against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.

Stroud, 22, was injured in the fourth quarter of Houston’s Week 14 loss to the New York Jets when his head bounced off the turf after a hit by defensive tackle Quinnen Williams.

Stroud, the No. 2 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, ranked second in the NFL in passing yards (3,631) and had the fifth-best passer rating (98.7) in the league at the time of his injury in Week 14.

The NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year favorite has completed 62.4 percent of his passes with 20 touchdowns and five interceptions in 13 starts. Stroud has also rushed for 143 yards and three scores.

The Texans, Indianapolis Colts and Jacksonville Jaguars all have 8-7 records in the AFC South. Houston hosts the Tennessee Titans (5-10) on Sunday.

–Field Level Media