C.J. Stroud took off to run on third down.
As he approached the first-down marker, he slid, and that's when trouble started.
A Denver Broncos defender flew in to take down the Houston Texans' third-year QB.
The hit crushed the sliding Stroud, drawing a penalty (which was eventually waved off).
Worse, it sent Stroud's head slamming back into the turf.
Stroud stayed on the ground. Eventually, he gave a thumbs up to the crowd as he walked off to the blue medical tent.
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The Texans' backup quarterback is Davis Mills, and he has proven that he can step in and play solidly when given the chance.
But all concern goes immediately to Stroud.
Sure, Stroud hasn't been perfect after a great rookie season. Years two and three haven't yet lived up to the hype generated by that first campaign.
But Stroud is still one of the league's best young quarterbacks, and he's the player the Texans have built their entire roster around.
If Stroud is forced to miss time, everything changes in a hurry for Houston.
Texans fans will be hoping it isn't as bad as it initially looked.
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