Texans QB C.J. Stroud enters concussion protocol after loss vs. Jets: Could Houston make playoffs without him?

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - DECEMBER 10: C.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans looks to throw the ball during the second half against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on December 10, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
By Jeff Howe and Mike Jones

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud “will be in concussion protocol” after taking a hard hit in Sunday’s 30-6 loss to the New York Jets, Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said postgame.

Stroud left the game after hitting his head on the ground after Jets defensive lineman Quinnen Williams slammed into him in the fourth quarter. He was then evaluated for a concussion and did not return. Davis Mills replaced Stroud at quarterback.

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“We’ll see how (Stroud) progresses throughout the week,” Ryans said.

After the game, Williams took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to address the hit.

“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 C.J. is OK and wish him nothing but the best.”

Stroud, a frontrunner to win the league’s Offensive Rookie of the Year award, was 10-of-23 passing for 91 yards before leaving the game. He leads all rookies with a 98.7 passer rating, the sixth-best mark in the NFL. He’s thrown for 3,631 yards and 20 touchdowns against five interceptions.

Mills served as the Texans starter for much of the past two seasons, starting 26 games. Heading into Sunday’s game, he’d thrown for 5,802 yards, 33 touchdowns and 25 interceptions in his career.

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Injury impact for Stroud and Houston

Stroud has been a deserving figure in the MVP discussion, and he may draw serious consideration if he’s able to return and guide the Texans into the playoffs. The second pick of the draft has completed 62.4 percent of his passes this season for a league-best 3,631 yards, but he’s been even more impressive with his poise in clutch situations.

It’s so obvious how much the Texans believe in their rookie quarterback, which is a primary reason for their massive turnaround. While the recovery from a concussion is so unpredictable, the natural concern would be how this impacts Stroud in the future — how long this will impact him and whether a return too quickly could lead to another head injury. If Stroud is unable to play next week against the Titans, Mills would be the likely starter at quarterback. — Jeff Howe, NFL national insider

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Another deflating injury for Houston

It’s been a challenging stretch for the Texans, who were uncharacteristically flat against the Jets in their most lopsided defeat of the season. But they also lost wideout Tank Dell last week to a fractured fibula, and receiver Nico Collins went down Sunday with a calf injury. Tight end Dalton Schultz has also missed the last two games with a hamstring issue. Stroud, of course, is the most valuable piece, but it’s going to be awfully tough to emerge from a crowded group of AFC teams with 7-6 records to earn a playoff spot.

The Texans close the season against the Titans, Browns, Titans again and then the Colts, so there’s certainly a path to 10 wins. But will that be enough? And is it realistic if Stroud misses time? — Howe

Could the Texans make the playoffs without Stroud?

It’s far too early to know how quickly Stroud can return to action, but this threatens the Texans’ chances of making the playoffs. They already needed a strong and mistake-free finish to force their way into the big dance. But now, the road could become that much more challenging. There’s a significant drop-off from Stroud to Mills.

At 7-6, the Texans currently sit in the ninth spot and need to make up ground to get into the seven-team playoff field. Losing to the Jets really hurts, so Houston needs to rebound quickly as Tennessee, Cleveland, another date with the Titans and a season finale versus Indianapolis all await. Making the playoffs could require a 3-1 finish.

DeMeco Ryans and his staff and players will be sweating things out this week while Stroud goes through concussion protocol. — Mike Jones, national NFL writer

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Required reading

(Photo: Al Bello / Getty Images)