Texans rookie QB C.J. Stroud clears concussion protocol

Houston Texans rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud said Thursday that he has cleared concussion protocol and expects to start Sunday's game versus the visiting Tennessee Titans.

"I feel great, I feel really good. I feel back to myself, which was the biggest thing," Stroud said.

Stroud, who was a full participant in practice Thursday, has missed Houston's last two games while in concussion protocol.

In his absence, the Case Keenum-led Texans (8-7) defeated the Titans on the road in overtime in Week 15 before losing by 14 points at home against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.

Stroud, 22, was injured in the fourth quarter of Houston's Week 14 loss to the New York Jets when his head bounced off the turf after a hit by defensive tackle Quinnen Williams.

Stroud, the No. 2 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft out of Ohio State, led 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.

The NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year favorite has completed 62.4 percent of his passes with 20 touchdowns and five interceptions in 13 starts. Stroud has also rushed for 143 yards and three scores.

The Texans, Indianapolis Colts and Jacksonville Jaguars all have 8-7 records in the AFC South.

—Field Level Media