C.J.

Stroud

It wasn’t pretty, but the Texans found a way to down the Chiefs to improve to 8-5, now clinging to the final playoff spot in the AFC. Stroud did well to avoid mounting pressure in the first half as he made numerous key throws in high leverage situations to keep the Texans afloat, the most impressive of which was a 53-yard completion to alpha wide receiver Nico Collins in the second quarter which led to the only touchdown of the first half. He would then toss nine straight incompletions after the break, the most to that point in the season throughout the NFL - the most until that point because Patrick Mahomes would go 10 straight passes without a completion later in the game. The Houston defense took over from there, sealing the victory with a turnover on downs and interception on consecutive possessions in the fourth quarter. Stroud and the Texans now await the reeling Cardinals in Week 15 as they fight for their playoff lives.

The Texans actually ran the ball more in the red zone in this one, getting two touchdowns from Nick Chubb and Nico Collins on the edge. Stroud’s first half was rather uneven, as he was penalized for attempting a pass after he went past the line of scrimmage and also was picked off in the second quarter while throwing into double coverage deep. He was 9-of-13 for 123 yards after halftime, leading the Texans on one touchdown drive, one field-goal drive, and one whatever-the-hell-it-is when you watch Cade Stover attempt two tush pushes rather than take a short field goal to buffer a seven-point lead late in the fourth quarter. Stroud will remain on the QB2 line against the Chiefs in Week 14, but the Chiefs are good against the run and there should be passing volume for Stroud in the matchup.

Jalen Pitre, too, cleared protocol and will take on the current AFC South leaders. Stroud will be on the QB2 line after a long layoff, but has done reasonably well against the Colts over his two NFL seasons to date. Indianapolis’ defense, while improved with the return of Charvarius Ward and Sauce Gardner, isn’t a bad matchup from a fantasy perspective.

It was officially a full session for the young quarterback. Stroud returned to practice last Tuesday but was downgraded to a DNP on Wednesday, the Texans’ final official practice before Thursday’s game. It seems like that was just maintenance for a player who had already been ruled out. Barring a setback, Stroud is on track to play in Week 13 against the Colts. Stroud will be a low-end QB2 in his first game since Week 9.

Rapoport adds that Stroud likely would have practiced today if the Texans did not have a game this evening. It should be noted that Stroud was limited on Tuesday before sitting out on Wednesday. We do not know why Stroud was downgraded. Perhaps, due for rest. Expect Stroud back next week.

Berrios’ inactivity interestingly reduces the Texans’ slot receiver rotation to a two-player committee, including Christian Kirk and Jaylin Noel. Berrios was listed with a quad injury this week but practiced in full. Lane is worth stashing at this time. Stroud will now miss his third straight game since suffering a brain injury in Week 9 against the Broncos. He managed one limited session on Tuesday.

This did seem to the way it was going for most of the week, even with Stroud returning to practice today. The good news is that a return against the Colts in Week 13 seems plausible for Stroud, who has now missed three full games with this concussion suffered against the Broncos in Week 9. Davis Mills will shepherd the Texans through Thursday Night Football against the Bills.

Stroud is expected to return to practice Wednesday but has almost no chance to suit up Thursday night against the Bills, almost three weeks after suffering his head injury. Davis Mills will be in line to get another start for Houston. Over the past two weeks, Mills is fifth among all quarterbacks in passing yards, with three touchdown to one interception. He ranks 19th in accuracy over those two weeks. Mills will remain a decent superflex option in Week 12 against a suspect Buffalo defense.

Although there don’t appear to be any reasons for concern regarding Collins’ status ahead of a Thursday Night Football showdown with the Bills, the same cannot be said of quarterback C.J. Stroud, who continued to be listed as a non-participant on Monday’s estimated practice report as he pushes to clear the league’s concussion protocol. Stroud has yet to see the practice field in any capacity, something he will need to rectify if he wants to make it back in time for Thursday. He will only have two chances to do so. Tight end Dalton Schultz was also listed as limited Monday but, like Collins, appears to be trending towards suiting up against the Bills. Fantasy managers will want to track the coming practice reports diligently.

Something similar was reported on Sunday morning, but speaking on Monday, Ryans confirmed that Stroud may not return this week. The Texans’ QB1 remains in the league’s concussion protocol, but the Texans playing on Thursday night only adds to the complications. Stroud has missed two straight games due to his concussion, but the Texans have managed to go 2-0 in his absence with Davis Mills under center. Mills has thrown for 566 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception in his two starts this season, but shouldn’t be viewed as anything more than a desperation play in 2QB/superflex leads if he draws the start. Ryans said S Jalen Pitre, who is also in the concussion protocol, is uncertain for Thursday night’s game.