C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans
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C.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans warms up before facing the Denver Brocnos.
After C.J. Stroud’s mother asserted that her son was “ok” on Instagram following his concussion during the Houston Texans’ loss to the Denver Broncos in Week 9, further signs indicate the third-year quarterback is trending in the right direction.
He still has a significant series of hurdles to clear.
Still, it is encouraging for Stroud to have avoided any setbacks, albeit in the early going, following the injury.
Texans HC DeMeco Ryans Gets Good News From C.J. Stroud
C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans
GettyC.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans on the field after facing the Seattle Seahawks.
Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans met with reporters on Monday to discuss the fallout from the 18-15 loss to the Broncos, most notably Stroud’s status.
Ryans confirmed the concussion diagnosis and said he had been in contact with Stroud.
“C.J.’s in the concussion protocol,” Ryans confirmed to reporters on November 3. “Spoke to him last night. He’s feeling a little bit better. We’ll see how the week goes, and how he … progresses throughout the week.”
The NFL has a five-part return-to-play process that includes various levels of activity that, once completed, move the player on to be evaluated by an independent neurological consultant.
The Texans split their two games without Stroud in 2023, also due to a concussion.
“Every experience, every one, it’s new. It’s a new team, new year,” Ryans said. “So, we’ll do what we have to do. Put ourselves in the best position to go out and play a great game, to play winning football. So, that’s how we’ll approach it this week.”
The Texans are 3-5 on the season, and they are third in the AFC South with games against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, and Indianapolis Colts three of the next four weeks.
The Houston Chronicle’s Jonathan M. Alexander called Ryans’ update “good news.”
DeMeco Ryans ‘Flippant’ in 2nd Reaction to Hit on C.J. Stroud
DeMeco Ryans, Houston Texans
GettyHouston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans looks on against the Denver Broncos.
Ryans noted the difficulty of the hit on Stroud from Broncos cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine, who did not receive a penalty during the contest. Alexander noted that Ryans was “flippant” in his day-after take.
“It was it’s a tough play,” Ryans told reporters on November 3. “Quarterback is sliding. I thought the quarterbacks are protected when they slide. But what I’m learning is, if you hit them, don’t hit them in the head or neck area. They slide, you hit them in the chest, and that’s just fine. So, that’s what I learned.”
Postgame, Ryans was far more impassioned, saying he expected Abrams-Draine to receive a penalty for his actions.
The underlying message was the same.
“C.J. scrambled. Of course, he tried to – he slid, and the guy you know came up and hit him. As I see, it’s unnecessary roughness,” Ryans said after the game on November 2. “He hit the quarterback when he’s sliding and giving himself up. If I’m incorrect on the rule, I’ve seen that happen multiple times, and with our guys, and we get the penalty. But for some reason, it just didn’t happen there.
“We’ll look at the film and see what actually happened there. At the end of the day, we lost our starting quarterback, all right, because of the play. And anytime you lose your starting quarterback, it’s always tough.”
Ryans was called hypocritical after defending Azeez Al-Shaari in a similar situation.
At any rate, Stroud remains in doubt for the Texans as they prepare to host the Jaguars, who are 5-3, in Week 10.
DeMeco Ryans Sets Expectations for Davis Mills
C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans
GettyC.J. Stroud #7 and Davis Mills #10 of the Houston Texans embrace on the field after defeating the Los Angeles Chargers during the AFC Wild Card Playoffs.
After the game, Ryans commended backup quarterback Davis Mills for stepping in, while also lamenting the Texans’ not doing enough to overcome the loss of Stroud. On Monday, Ryans set modest expectations for Mills.
“If Davis has to step in and play, we just expect him to go out and do his best,” Ryans said. “Just play the offense the proper way, make great decisions with the football.”
Mills, 27, has a 6,327-35-25 line and is 5-19-1 as a starter in his career.