Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud has been sidelined for Sunday’s game against the Denver Broncos after sustaining a concussion from a hard hit during the second quarter. The incident occurred with 13:51 remaining in the first half, as Stroud attempted to evade defenders on a third-and-8 play.
After dropping back to pass, Stroud scanned the field before scrambling to gain yardage. He slid just short of the first-down marker, but was met with a powerful tackle from Broncos cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine, which caused Stroud’s head to strike the ground forcefully. The quarterback remained on the field for a brief period, moving cautiously before ultimately getting to his feet and walking off independently. He acknowledged the crowd with a thumbs-up before heading into the medical blue tent and subsequently to the locker room.
Initially, Abrams-Draine received a penalty for unnecessary roughness. However, after a review, officials overturned the call, determining that he did not make contact with Stroud’s head or neck.
Backup quarterback Davis Mills took over for Stroud following the injury. Before exiting the game, Stroud completed 6 of 10 passes for 79 yards and was instrumental in guiding the Texans into field-goal range on two separate drives.
This marks Stroud’s second concussion of the season, with his first occurring in December 2023 during a game against the New York Jets. That injury unfolded in a similar manner when Stroud was tackled by defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, causing the back of his helmet to hit the turf.
The Texans will rely on Mills as they navigate the remainder of the game against the Broncos, as the team seeks to maintain momentum in the competitive NFL landscape. The impact of Stroud’s absence on the Texans’ performance remains to be seen as they adapt to this unexpected challenge.
