Texans QB C.J. Stroud remains in concussion protocol

Houston Texans rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud could miss a second consecutive game with a concussion and remains in the league-mandated protocol for head injuries.

Stroud was held out of last week's 19-16 overtime win against the Tennessee Titans and replaced in the lineup by Case Keenum.

Multiple reports indicate the Texans are unlikely to play Stroud this week even after head coach DeMeco Ryans took the decision for Week 15 down to the wire.

Technically, there is still time for an independent neurologist to clear Stroud for Sunday's home game against the Cleveland Browns and Joe Flacco — the fourth QB to start for that franchise this season — but he's still exhibiting common symptoms of a concussion.

Pro Football Talk reported on Wednesday that Stroud has shown concussion symptoms since Week 13 against the Denver Broncos. He officially was diagnosed with a concussion the following week in a road game loss to the New York Jets. Defensive tackle Quinnen Williams blasted Stroud on a pass play with 6:24 to play in the game and the rookie quarterback's head hit and bounced off the turf.

The Texans haven't responded to questions about whether Stroud actually was concussed before that game.

Specifically, Stroud showed signs of ataxia, which medically should be an automatic disqualifier for players to return to the game under NFL concussion evaluation rules. Ataxia is defined as difficulty walking and balancing.

Houston is one game behind the Browns (9-5) in a crowded wild-card playoff picture in the AFC.

The Texans (8-6) hope to avoid the wild-card quagmire by winning the AFC South division and are one of three teams with the same record. Indianapolis and Jacksonville also have eight wins, and the Colts play at Houston in the regular-season finale.

Stroud, the No. 2 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, was second in the NFL in passing yards (3,631) and had the fifth-best passer rating (98.7) in the league at the time of his injury in Week 14.

—Field Level Media