C.J. Stroud, the rookie sensation and starting quarterback for the Houston Texans, left the game against the Denver Broncos on Sunday before halftime. He took a head shot and concussion in the second quarter. No doubt he was still shaken up from that hit in the chest by linebacker Kris Abrams-Draine. The force of the impact then caused his helmeted head to hit the asphalt. Stroud early on the field moving gingerly before eventually walking off under his own power.
This incident is now Stroud’s second documented concussion this season. His first concussion came in December 2023 after a particularly brutal game against the New York Jets. On that play, Stroud’s head slammed against the ground after being tackled by defensive tackle Quinnen Williams. Prior to exiting the game against Denver, Stroud was 6 of 10 passing for 79 yards. Aside from his passing stats, he directed the Texans into scoring position on two additional drives.
Stroud dropped back on a crucial third-and-8 with 13:51 left in the first half and scanned the field before scrambling. His leaving was a gargantuan loss to the Texans as their defensive performance declined drastically without him. They mustered just 87 yards in the second half—that’s less than half the 181 yards they amassed while he was still in the game.
The Texans, who currently sit at 3-5, will host the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 10. Should Stroud fail to clear the league’s concussion protocol, backup quarterback Davis Mills is expected to take over the starting role.
Head coach DeMeco Ryans expressed his disagreement with the officials’ decision not to call unnecessary roughness on the play that led to Stroud’s injury. He admitted that all decimated offenses lose their marquee starting quarterback, but that requires extra effort and dependability from the rest of the roster.
“It’s easy to stand up here and make excuses,” – DeMeco Ryans
Ryans said that without Stroud, the Texans’ offense “sputtered” in the second half. Dalton Schultz, a tight end for the Texans, echoed this sentiment, urging his teammates to step up in Stroud’s absence.
“It’s your time to step up. We need the next guy to come in and just be consistent. Just execute,” – Dalton Schultz
As the Texans get ready to take on the Jags this week, there’s some question about their offensive gameplan if Stroud is forced to miss time. His leadership and execution of plays have been irreplaceable for the squad this season. Replacing him is going to be a test for those players and that coaching staff.
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