Houston Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said Monday that rookie sensation quarterback C.J. Stroud was diagnosed with a concussion, stemming from a hit during Sunday’s 30-6 loss to the New York Jets.
Stroud was the recipient of a blow from New York defensive tackle Quinnen Williams after throwing a pass in the fourth quarter. His head snapped as he hit the ground.
“C.J. is still in the concussion protocol,” Ryans said. “We’ll see how he goes throughout the week and hopefully he continues to feel better.”
Ryans wasn’t optimistic that Stroud could play in this Sunday’s road game against the Tennessee Titans. He indicated the team will be cautious with Stroud, the No. 2 overall pick in this year’s draft.
“Yeah, we’ll see as he goes throughout the week, we’ll see how he progresses throughout the concussion protocol and that just has to run its course,” Ryans said. “I don’t think many guys have came back the following week after a concussion. You have to make sure at the end of the day that no matter the position, no matter who the guy is, you have to make sure that your guys are healthy and we’re protecting guys and their right when it comes to the concussion or the head injuries. We have to make sure we’re protecting all of our guys.
“It’s more about their long-term health, as opposed to, just everybody gets excited about the next game and the next opportunity, but we care about these guys as men off the field and making sure that their health is the utmost importance to us.”
Williams commented on social media to say there was no ill intent.
“I pray CJ is ok, everyone know I’m not a dirty player or trying to hurt a great, Elite QB like him or any player in the league,” Williams said. “I play hard and I play fair. Again I pray CJ is ok and wish him nothing but the best.”
Stroud, 22, leads the NFL with 3,631 yards despite throwing for a season-low 91 against the Jets. He has 20 scoring passes and been intercepted five times.
Davis Mills and Case Keenum are the starter options if Stroud isn’t available against the Titans. Mills, 25, was 1 of 5 for 4 yards after replacing Stroud against the Jets and has a 5-19-1 career record as a starter. Keenum, 35, is 29-35 as an NFL starter.
“We’ll see where we end up throughout the week,” Ryans said. “Both guys have played a lot of football, and at this point and where we are, we just want guys who are going to put us in a position to win football games. Who can we count on to help us win football games? And that’s how we’ll decide.”
–Field Level Media