The Houston Texans and CJ Stroud are having an uncertain playoff scenario in the highly competitive AFC South. With the record of winning seven matches for six defeats, they are now sitting at the third spot in the division, behind the Jacksonville Jaguars and Indianapolis Colts.
Besides struggling on the field, the Texans are also having hard times to cope with their injury plagued squad. A handful of players couldn’t participate in their Wednesday’s practice. Stroud, who got emotional while discussing his rookie receiver Tank Dell’s season-ending injury, has sustained an injury in their recent match against the New York Jets, and has been able to make his way into the field.
CJ Stroud injury update
C.J. Stroud’s absence from Wednesday afternoon’s practice following a concussion sustained during their disappointing loss to the New York Jets has thrown the team into uncertainty ahead of their upcoming clash with the Tennessee Titans. The seriousness of his condition leaves his availability for the imminent game hanging in the balance, adhering to the NFL’s tight concussion protocol.
To adhere to league guidelines, the signal-caller must undergo a meticulous five-step process before resuming full engagement in practices or game participation. The protocol mandates a progression from symptom-limited activity through various exercise stages to full football activity and clearance.
However, head coach DeMeco Ryans shared positive updates about the Texans star saying, “CJ is getting a little bit better. We will see how the week goes, but he is still in concussion protocol”, per SI.com.
The concussion stemmed from a brutal hit by Jets’ defensive lineman Quinnen Williams, with nearly six minutes left in the fourth quarter. The impact forced his head to collide with the MetLife Stadium turf prompting an immediate concern, which ultimately led him to exit the game without re-entering.
The Texans face the dilemma of choosing between Case Keenum or Davis Mills to lead the quarterback position if Stroud remains sidelined. Adding to the Texans’ concerns, a handful of key players, including defensive end Will Anderson (ankle), linebacker Blake Cashman (hamstring), wide receiver Nico Collins (calf), offensive tackle George Fant (hip), cornerback Tavierre Thomas (hamstring), and left tackle Laremy Tunsil (knee) were also non-participants in practice.
CJ Stroud’s impressive performances in NFL this season
Besides earning praise from the NFL community for discussing his faith in religion, and openly supporting his father, CJ Stroud has also moonlighted as a hero both in the air and on the ground. His passing game has been a standout feature, tallying an impressive 3,631 yards throughout the season, averaging 279.3 yards per game. The QB’s accuracy shines through his 62.4% completion rate, connecting for 20 touchdowns while limiting himself to just five interceptions.
Over the past five matchups, the Texans star threw for 1,361 yards while notching six touchdowns for four interceptions. His Week 9 display against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was undoubtedly his pinnacle performance, completing 71.4% of his passes for a staggering 470 yards, and five touchdowns for zero interceptions.
Statistical rankings place the young star among the NFL’s elite, securing the third position with an impressive 8.2 yards per passing attempt along with a total of 3,631 passing yards. His impact on the team’s offense is undeniable, contributing to a whopping 76.7% of their 30 offensive touchdowns this season, accounting for 23 in total.
Despite his proficiency in passing, CJ Stroud’s dual-threat ability was top notch as he recorded 143 rushing yards on 35 carries, averaging 4.1 yards per rush. Within the red zone, he has been an active participant, throwing 51 passes and rushing nine times.
