Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud is expected to miss his second consecutive game as he remains in concussion protocol, making him unlikely to play against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, as reported by ESPN’s DJ Bien-Aime. Stroud is still dealing with common concussion symptoms, including sensitivity to light, but is making gradual progress in his recovery.
The rookie QB suffered a concussion during the Texans’ loss to the New York Jets on December 10, following a late hit by Jets tackle Quinnen Williams. In the absence of Stroud, Case Keenum stepped in as the starting quarterback in the Texans’ recent 19-16 victory over the Tennessee Titans. Keenum completed 23 of 36 passes for 229 yards, throwing one touchdown and one interception, helping the Texans improve their record to 8-6, keeping them in the playoff mix.
Texans’ QB C.J. Stroud, who missed Sunday’s win over the Tennessee Titans and remains in the concussion protocol, is likely to miss a second straight game this coming Sunday against the Cleveland Browns, sources told @Djbienaime:https://t.co/VaDqtkavXa
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 20, 2023
Should Stroud be unable to play against the Browns, Keenum is set to start over Davis Mills. Stroud’s injury is a significant setback for both the player and the Texans. The 2023 No. 2 overall pick was a strong contender to lead the NFL in passing yards by the end of the regular season and is a top candidate for the Offensive Rookie of the Year award.
In his 13 games this season, Stroud has achieved a 62.4 percent completion rate, passing for 3,631 yards and 20 touchdowns with five interceptions. Additionally, he has contributed 143 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns. Stroud has played a crucial role in transforming the Texans into serious playoff contenders after three consecutive seasons with losing records. With Keenum likely starting for at least one more week, the Texans will need a strong performance to stay alive in the postseason race.
