C.J. Stroud’s status is once again the talk of Houston, and fantasy football managers are hanging on every update. The Texans’ young quarterback has been inching toward a return, yet a lingering issue continues to cloud his Week 13 outlook. After missing multiple games, signs of progress finally showed this week, though nothing is guaranteed yet.
The question now is whether Stroud will be ready and fully himself when it matters most.
C.J. Stroud Injury Update
Houston Texans quarterback Stroud suffered a concussion in Week 9 but has yet to clear the concussion protocol. On Monday, head coach DeMeco Ryans reemphasized that Stroud would be the team’s starter when he returns, but that Stroud had yet to clear the concussion protocol.
That is less than ideal for a player who suffered a concussion over three weeks ago. Stroud logged a limited practice on Wednesday, so he is at least progressing through the protocol. He will need to be upgraded to a full participant by the end of the week to return for Week 13.
— PFSN Fantasy Football Analyst Dan Fornek
Stroud Fantasy Outlook
The expectation is for Stroud (concussion) to return from a three-game absence, all of which were victories for a Houston team that is now over .500 for the first time this season.
Does it matter?
In theory, it should. In those three games, Davis Mills had 270+ passing yards in two of them and multiple passing scores in two of them. If Stroud can parlay that success and add 15% production as a result of being the more talented player, we are looking at 22-23 fantasy points, and that’s a usable projection in a spot where the Texans figure to be pushed offensively.
But will it?
READ MORE: Soppe’s Week 13 Fantasy Football Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em: Analysis for Every Player in Every Game
Stroud has one top-10 finish this season, and I worry that his weakness may be further exposed after the injury.
Profile Against The Blitz
- 2023: 13.7 yards per completion, 8.6% TD rate, 1.7% INT rate
- 2024: 10.7 yards per completion, 5.2% TD rate, 2.2% INT rate
- 2025: 10.2 yards per completion, 3.1% TD rate, 3.1% INT rate
The Colts aren’t a high blitz team, but they’ve gotten meaningfully more aggressive over the past month, and in a spot like this against an offensive line that can struggle at a high level, I expect that to be a leverage point.
Show me you’re healthy, Stroud. The Chiefs are on the schedule for next Sunday night, but after that, they have home games against the Cardinals and the Raiders. If Stroud can steady the ship over the next two weeks, he could be an asset as your fantasy season comes to a close.
— PFSN Fantasy Football Analyst Kyle Soppe
