Texans rookie phenom CJ Stroud suffered a concussion in Week 14 against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium, and has yet to practice this week as he remains in concussion protocol. His timeline to return is not known. Stroud, who missed another practice Friday, was listed as questionable, but NFL Media reported that he will not play in Week 15 against the Tennessee Titans. Davis Mills is ready to start in his place, by Ian Rapoport.
His time at the Texans facility has been limited since the injury.
“As far as he can right now, he’s still on the log, so he hasn’t been in the building too much,” backup quarterback Davis Mills said. via KPRC 2 Houston’s Aaron Wilson, when asked about how much Stroud has helped him prepare for a possible start this week. “CJ has always been the guy who will be extremely generous and make sure his teammates are in the best place they can be to go out and execute on game day.”
The rookie quarterback suffered the injury on a second-and-10 play from the Houston 25-yard line with just under seven minutes to play in regulation in the Texans’ 30-6 loss. After completing a six-yard pass to wideout John Metchie III, Stroud was taken to the ground by Jets defensive tackle Quinnen Williams. After his body initially hit the turf, the back of Stroud’s helmet slammed into the ground. Mills came in to replace Stroud, who was able to leave under his own power before heading to the locker room.
“When it comes to the concussion or head injury, we have to make sure we protect all of our kids. It’s more about their long-term health,” Ryans said Monday via Shaun Bijani.
Stroud led the NFL with 3,540 passing yards coming into Week 14 and was on pace for 5,015 yards, which would have been a rookie record. His six 300-yard passing games this season are tied with Andrew Luck for second-most by a rookie all-time and behind only Justin Herbert (eight). Stroud’s 3,631 yards in 2023 now rank second most in the league behind Tua Tagovailoa’s 3,697.
