Texans’ C.J. Stroud sidelined against Titans due to concussion; Mills or Keenum in contention for starting role.
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The Houston Texans’ standout rookie quarterback, C.J. Stroud, is set to miss Sunday’s game against the Tennessee Titans due to a concussion, as per Dianna Russini of The Athletic. Stroud’s doubtful status was indicated on the team’s injury report following his placement in concussion protocol after the Week 14 loss to the New York Jets. During that game, he sustained the concussion in the fourth quarter after being tackled following a completed pass. His replacement, Davis Mills, made a brief appearance, completing a single four-yard pass.
Stroud’s performance against the Jets marked a tough outing, a significant departure from his otherwise impressive season. While he started the week as the NFL’s passing yards leader, he struggled against the Jets’ strong defense, managing only 91 yards on 10-of-23 passing and enduring four sacks.
Despite this setback, Stroud remains the top contender for the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award due to his remarkable debut. He currently ranks second in the league for passing yards, tallying 3,631 yards along with 20 touchdowns and just five interceptions.
As the 2023 No. 2 draft pick, Stroud has played a pivotal role in reviving the Texans’ fortunes. They’ve surged to a 7-6 record after several seasons with four wins or fewer. However, their remaining schedule poses challenges, featuring matchups against the Titans twice, a game against the Cleveland Browns, and closing out the season against the Indianapolis Colts.
With Stroud sidelined, either Mills or the experienced Case Keenum could take the reins on Sunday. Reports from DJ Bien-Aime of ESPN mention both quarterbacks sharing practice reps during the week. Additionally, head coach DeMeco Ryans didn’t confirm Mills as the starter when questioned by reporters. Mills, a 2021 third-round selection, recorded 3,118 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions in 15 games during the 2022 season.
