Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud has been ruled out of the upcoming game against the Denver Broncos due to a concussion sustained during a hard hit in the second quarter. The incident occurred with 13:51 remaining in the first half when Stroud, attempting to convert a third-and-8, was tackled by Broncos cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine as he slid to avoid further contact.
Stroud’s head struck the ground forcefully after the hit, leading to immediate concern on the field. He remained on the ground for a brief period, moving cautiously before managing to stand and walk off the field under his own power. As he made his way to the sidelines, he acknowledged the crowd with a thumbs up before entering the medical tent. Following evaluation, Stroud was taken to the locker room for further assessment.
The hit initially resulted in a penalty for unnecessary roughness against Abrams-Draine. However, after review, officials overturned the call, citing that there was no contact with Stroud’s head or neck during the play.
Backup quarterback Davis Mills stepped in for Stroud, who had completed 6 of 10 passes for 79 yards and had successfully driven the Texans into field goal range on two separate occasions prior to his departure.
This incident marks Stroud’s second concussion of the season; he previously suffered a similar injury in December 2023 while playing against the New York Jets. That earlier concussion occurred in a comparable manner, as the back of Stroud’s helmet made contact with the turf after being tackled by defensive tackle Quinnen Williams.
The Texans will now prepare for their game against the Broncos without their starting quarterback, placing significant pressure on Mills to lead the team effectively in Stroud’s absence. The organization will monitor Stroud’s recovery closely to determine when he can return to the field.
