Three weeks have passed since the hit that silenced the Houston Texans. While backup Davis Mills has kept the season alive with a surprising winning streak, the franchise’s face remains stuck in medical limbo.
Now, as a pivotal division clash looms, the Texans wait for the answer to the season’s biggest question: Is C.J. Stroud ready?
Will C.J. Stroud Return for Week 13?
It has been weeks since Stroud took a snap for the Texans. Following that jarring collision with Denver Broncos cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine in Week 9, the 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year remains in concussion protocol.
Updates remain scarce regarding his availability. ESPN NFL reporter DJ Bien-Aime tweeted that Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans confirmed the third-year quarterback from Ohio State has not cleared protocol yet. The news isn’t much better on the defensive side, as Bien-Aime noted safety Jalen Pitre sits in the same boat.
There is a glimmer of hope, however. Bien-Aime replied to a commenter suggesting he expects both starters back this week. Of course, that prediction means little until the team updates the official injury report.
In the meantime, Davis Mills has stepped up admirably. The backup quarterback orchestrated a three-game winning streak, finding a rhythm with Pro Bowl wide receiver Nico Collins that kept the offense moving in Stroud’s absence.
Protocol clearance or not, this week marks the start of the season. Holding a 6-5 record, the Texans heads to face the Indianapolis Colts in a game that could shape the AFC South race. A win puts them right back in the title hunt, but Ryans faces a tough call if Stroud gets cleared while Mills continues playing this well.
How Does the NFL Concussion Protocol Work?
The NFL’s Game Day Concussion Diagnosis and Management Protocol, established in 2011, dictates the process. This 18-page document mandates an assessment whenever a player receives a head injury or exhibits symptoms.
For Stroud, that meant an evaluation from an Unaffiliated Neurotrauma Consultant and the team physician immediately after the Abrams-Draine hit. Once placed in protocol, the path back involves five distinct phases.
It starts with limited activity and light exercise to check for recurring symptoms. Phase 2 ramps up to cardio and neurocognitive testing, followed by 30 minutes of football-specific work in Phase 3. By Phase 4, the player can join non-contact drills.
Finally, the team physician can clear the player for full activity, but only after the independent consultant certifies that the symptoms are gone. This isn’t new territory for Stroud, who missed two games his rookie year after a Week 14 concussion against the New York Jets.
