The Houston Texans have gotten by just fine without QB C.J. Stroud, winning back-to-back games with their star in concussion protocol, but his status looms large ahead of 'Thursday Night Football."
The Texans' offense has struggled for the bulk of its two games with backup Davis Mills under center, with the exception of a dominant fourth quarter in a comeback win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Mills and the Texans needed a late scoring drive to avoid an upset against the dismal Tennessee Titans in Week 11, and more offensive firepower might be needed to topple Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills.
On a short week, will Stroud be ready to suit up as the Texans try to climb above.500?
Here's what you need to know about Stroud's status for Thursday night.
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Is C.J. Stroud playing this week?
Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said Monday that Stroud remains in concussion protocol, putting the quarterback's status for Thursday up in the air.
Stroud did not participate in the Texans' Monday walkthrough, the Houston Chronicle said, and players in concussion protocol must participate in two practices while remaining symptom-free before they can play in a game. Given the short week, that means Stroud will have to practice in some form on Tuesday to have a chance to play Thursday.
Stroud is set to practice on Tuesday, according to ESPN's DJ Bien-Aime, though that does not guarantee his return by Thursday.
Stroud was concussed in a narrow loss to the Denver Broncos and missed games against both the Jaguars and Titans while in the protocol.
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What happened to C.J. Stroud?
Stroud suffered a concussion in a Week 9 loss to the Denver Broncos, forcing Mills into action. The injury occurred on a hit from Kris Abrams-Draine that sent Stroud's head to the turf.
Stroud has remained in concussion protocol ever since and cannot play until he clears all of the NFL's steps.
NFL concussion protocol
Here are the steps players have to take to leave the concussion protocol:
Symptom limited activity
In this initial phase, players are asked not to engage in much activity. They are supposed to rest during this period and limit anything that could aggravate their symptoms. Eventually, players will be allowed to do limited stretching and light aerobic exercises, so long as team training staff are supervising.
Aerobic exercise
Players will start to work on cardio exercises along with stretching and training, with team medical staff supervising. After this phase, players can start working on balance testing.
Football-specific exercise
In the third stage, players can take part in football-specific exercises and start working with the team for up to 30 minutes under supervision. Players are also able to increase their cardio workloads.
Club-based non-contact training drills
Players reaching the fourth stage are able to start throwing, catching and running and engage in activities more specific to their position. They also can continue to ramp up their exercise and training. By end of this phase, players have to have undergone neurocognitive and balance testing.
Full football activity/clearance
The player has to be cleared by both the club physician and the independent neurological consultant to return to full activity.
MORE: Complete guide to NFL concussion protocol
Who is C.J. Stroud's backup?
Davis Mills is Stroud's backup and has started the last two games with the former No. 2 pick in concussion protocol.
A third-round pick in 2021, Mills showed flashes as a rookie and started all but two games for the Texans in 2022 before the franchise drafted Stroud in 2023. Since then, Mills has stayed on as Houston's No. 2 quarterback — but he didn't make any starts in 2023 or 2024.
Mills has thrown for 566 yards, three touchdowns and one interception over his two starts this season, winning both games.
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Texans QB depth chart
| Rank | Quarterback |
| No. 1 | C.J. Stroud |
| No. 2 | Davis Mills |
| No. 3 | Graham Mertz |
Stroud remains the Texans' unquestioned starter and franchise quarterback when healthy, even in what has been an up-and-down season, but Mills is quickly becoming one of Houston's longest-tenured players in his fifth season with the team. The Stanford product has a 7-19-1 record after helping to guide the Texans through some of their darkest years.
Rookie sixth-round pick Graham Mertz will be Mills' backup if Stroud can't play. A former Wisconsin starter, he spent six seasons at the collegiate level, struggling at times but tossing 20 touchdowns to just three interceptions in 2023 before suffering a season-ending injury early in the 2024 campaign.