Houston Texans Get Good News as C.J. Stroud, Teammate Log Another Practice
The Houston Texans got back on the practice field on Wednesday, and they had third-year starting quarterback C.J. Stroud in action. While Stroud participated in practice last week, he still garnered additional attention for his efforts in the Texans’ first practice of Week 13.
Stroud has missed the Texans’ last three games in concussion protocol.
Stroud has yet to gain clearance to return to game action, but a new report says that is exactly what is expected to happen with a road trip to face the Indianapolis Colts on deck.
C.J. Stroud Draws Attention as Texans Return to Practice
Stroud was limited in his first practice last Tuesday, two-plus weeks after he suffered a concussion in Week 9 against the Denver Broncos. He missed Wednesday’s session.
So, his full participation to start Week 13 is encouraging. It is also only part of the good news.
ESPN’s DJ Bien-Aime reported on X on November 26 to “Expect the announcement that he is cleared on Friday during availability,” before KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson corroborated Stroud’s anticipated return.
The Texans have gone undefeated with Davis Mills playing in Stroud’s absence, putting themselves back into the hunt for not just a postseason berth, but also the AFC South crown.
Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans previously made it clear that Stroud is QB1 when healthy.
“Whenever C.J. is back, ready to roll, he’s been our starter,” Ryans told reporters during his post-Week 12 media availability on November 24. “He will be our starter whenever he’s back, ready to go.”
The same is true for safety Jalen Pitre, who has also been in concussion protocol since Week 9, returned to practice last week, and logged limited sessions on Monday and Tuesday before a DNP on Wednesday and sitting out in Week 12.
Stroud’s potential return is still the most impactful for the Texans.
C.J. Stroud Must Gain Final Clearance
Ryans’ previous distinction is key for the Texans because, despite their practice status, Stroud and Pitre remain in concussion protocol.
“For the protocol, each guy has their own steps, or what they have to pass,” Ryans told reporters during his media availability before the Texans practiced on November 26. “It’s a lot of different steps, and each guy’s different when it comes to the symptoms that they’re having and what they’re feeling.
“Whatever they report that they’re feeling, we’re going to take that to heart and make sure we’re taking extra precaution with the guys whenever it’s a concussion issue. So right now, as we stand today, they’re still in concussion protocol.”
Players must pass the NFL’s five-phase plan before they can exit the concussion protocol.
With that, they must be cleared by an independent neurological consultant to return to game action.
Given the parameters set by the return-to-action plan and the NFL’s guidelines for practice participation designation, Stroud is at least in Phase 4 of the concussion protocol. The only question is due to Phase 5 involving full-contact, which quarterbacks do not take in practice.
Still, Stroud has been trending in the right direction and finally appears set to return in Week 13.
Nico Collins Excited for C.J. Stroud’s Return
Stroud’s teammate and Texans wide receiver Nico Collins was among those who voiced his support for the QB during what is the second reported concussion of his career, echoing Ryans’ sentiments.
“I’m glad 7’s [Stroud’s jersey number] back. Get ready for Indy, big division game, and on the road from there,” Collins told Wilson during a charity event on November 21.
Collins echoed those sentiments on Wednesday.
“7 looked good, picking up where he left off. Going out there and just making the right reads, connecting. Just going out, being himself again. Just coming back from a concussion, it’s hard. You don’t wanna miss time. But you miss time, [you have to] kind of pick back up where you left off and stuff like that,” Collins said.
“He looked good out there, man. Just excited to get back. [I’m] excited that he’s back, and can’t wait to play this weekend.”
Colts' Confidence in Daniel Jones and Offense Remains Unshaken Despite Recent Losses: What's Next for Indianapolis?
Indianapolis, IN – The Indianapolis Colts have faced some adversity in recent weeks, losing two of their last three games and experiencing a slight dip in their point differential. However, despite the setbacks, head coach Shane Steichen and quarterback Daniel Jones remain confident in the team’s offensive capabilities.
Jones has been largely effective this season, including impressive performances in the first three quarters of their Week 12 game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Though the Colts fell short in the fourth quarter and overtime, Jones completed 16 of 22 passes for 164 yards, two touchdowns, and a 124.1 passer rating through the first 45 minutes. A closer look at the stats shows that Jones was efficient against both high-level teams like the Chiefs and lower-ranked teams like the Las Vegas Raiders earlier in the season.
Steichen praised Jones' performance in those early portions of games, saying, “He was completing balls, he had a 100 passer rating, I think he was 14 of 16 at one point. He’s been playing good ball. It’s just about finishing those games, and that’s something we need to work on.”
Offensive Struggles and Adjustments
While Jones and the offense have shown promise, the fourth-quarter struggles against Kansas City have raised concerns. Jones’ performance dropped off in the final quarter, completing just three of nine passes for 17 yards. The Colts’ inability to close out the game effectively contributed to their 23-20 loss to the Chiefs, but Steichen believes it’s an area the team can improve on.
“Clearly, we didn’t execute the way we needed to, especially in key moments with Taysom. That’s on me. We had opportunities to put him in better positions, and we missed them,” said Steichen, acknowledging the importance of finishing strong.
One of the keys to the Colts’ offensive success so far has been their ability to generate big plays. They rank first in the NFL in EPA per play, success rate, and points per game. Even with the recent losses, the Colts remain in a good position to make a playoff push, provided they can adjust to how defenses have been scheming against them.
Offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter pointed out that defenses have been varying their approaches, with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Atlanta Falcons, and Kansas City Chiefs all using different blitz schemes and pressures to challenge Jones. He emphasized that the Colts’ offense needs to adapt and execute better against these defensive strategies.
Looking Ahead: A Crucial Test Against the Texans
The Colts’ upcoming Week 13 matchup against the Houston Texans will be a critical test for Jones and the offense. The Texans have one of the league’s best defenses, allowing the fifth-lowest percentage of scores on opposing possessions and putting consistent pressure on quarterbacks. Defensive ends Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr. have combined for 21.5 sacks this season, making them a formidable force for the Colts’ offensive line to handle.
Jones recognizes the challenge ahead, saying, “They do a good job rushing the passer. They’ve got good players in the secondary and at linebacker. So, it’ll be a good challenge for us.”
The Colts will need to clean up their execution and continue to adapt to defensive pressure if they hope to take down the Texans and regain momentum after a tough stretch.
Conclusion: Building for the Future
Despite the recent losses, the Colts’ offense remains one of the most efficient units in the NFL. With Jones continuing to develop and the coaching staff making adjustments, Indianapolis remains a dangerous team. If they can clean up their fourth-quarter play and find ways to execute in high-pressure situations, the Colts will be well-positioned to make a run in the playoffs.
As they prepare for their next challenge, Steichen and Jones are focused on improving every aspect of their game. With the Texans on the horizon, it’s clear the Colts will need their offense firing on all cylinders to secure a crucial win.
