Houston Texans quarterback CJ Stroud (7) runs the ball during the first half against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-USA TODAY Sports.
The Houston Texans have continued to find ways to keep themselves alive in the AFC playoff race despite their rookie QB phenom sidelined in concussion protocol.
Setting the league on fire, rookie quarterback for the Houston Texans, CJ Stroud, has solidified himself as the sure-fire Offensive Rookie of the Year. However, it was Case Keenum a week ago against the Tennessee Titans after Stroud suffered a concussion.
According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston, Stroud is still experiencing symptoms from the concussion he suffered against the New York Jets. Wilson adds that Keenum is, “expected to start against the Cleveland Browns, his former team, on Sunday, barring an unexpected improvement in Stroud’s condition.”
Still, nothing was set in stone as of Tuesday afternoon.
Ezoic
Keenum even started two games for the Browns in relief of Baker Mayfield in 2021, one of which came on a Thursday Night Primetime win against the Denver Broncos. As the starter in the brown and orange, Keenum went 2-0, throwing for 462 yards and three touchdowns that season.
Ezoic
In his one start this year for the Texans, last week against the Tennessee Titans, Keenum threw for 229 yards and a touchdown, throwing one interception as well.
CJ Stroud Officially Ruled Out For Houston Texans Vs. Browns
Houston Texans CJ Stroud
Stroud was feeling the pressure from the New England defense in his first professional outing.
Steven Senne/AP
On Tuesday night, ESPN Insider Adam Schefter confirmed the news Texans fans were dreading.
“Texans’ QB C.J. Stroud, who missed Sunday’s win over the Tennessee Titans and remains in the concussion protocol, is likely to miss a second straight game this coming Sunday against the Cleveland Browns, sources told @Djbienaime,” Shefter tweeted.
Ezoic
This is a big blow for the Texans who will now be tasked with beating one of the top defenses in the NFL with Keenum under center and they battle for an AFC Playoff spot.
CJ Stroud Is Clearly Texans Franchise QB
Houston Texans, CJ Stroud
Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports
While this is a minor setback for Stroud and the Texans, there’s no arguing the former Ohio State signal caller and No. 2 overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft has silenced the haters.
Ezoic
When the Houston Texans selected CJ Stroud with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, many thought they were making a big mistake. Ohio State quarterbacks have not translated well to the NFL and his scores on pre-draft tests were not great. However, he has since quieted those critics and has become one of the best rookie quarterbacks that the NFL has ever seen.
Not only has Stroud turned the Texans around immediately, he has even forced himself into the MVP conversation for some. Very few rookies have ever been able to do that.
As of Dec. 1, Stroud has completed 63.7 percent of his pass attempts for 3,266 yards, 19 touchdowns, and just five interceptions. He has also picked up 132 yard and three touchdowns on the ground.
At just 22 years of age, CJ Stroud has taken the NFL by storm. He is already viewed as one of the top up-and-coming stars in the league. Also, he has shown no reason to believe that this kind of production won’t continue.
Ezoic
Behind the leadership and play of Stroud, the Texans have gone 6-5 this season.
They also were just inches away on a game-tying field goal in Week 12 against the Jacksonville Jaguars that could have given them a chance to win another game. Quite simply, they have just looked like a potential playoff contender.
Now the Texans will hope Keenum can pull out some magic and pull off a critical win so that Stroud will have an opportunity to lead his team in the postseason.
