The Houston Texans are riding high after upsetting the Buffalo Bills on Thursday Night Football in Week 12. They aim to maintain their momentum as they face the Colts in Week 13. This will be no easy task, but the Texans have been up for it in the last few games and received good news on their franchise QB, CJ Stroud. Stroud has missed weeks with a concussion and could be returning to play soon.
Is CJ Stroud Finally Ready to Rejoin Houston’s Lineup Against the Colts?
Stroud has officially cleared concussion protocol after sitting out the last three games. Although three games are on the longer side for a concussion-related absence, the hit he took was severe enough that Houston took a cautious approach.
After logging consecutive full practices, Stroud is trending toward playing Sunday against the Colts. However, his official Week 13 status will come on Friday’s final injury report, but Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston noted that the expectation is he’ll be cleared.
Davis Mills stepped in for Stroud and nearly helped the Texans to a win against the Broncos when Stroud left with his injury. The ensuing weeks were Mills mania. Three games, three wins for Mills as the Texans turned their season around and have played their way into playoff contention.
Mills played great in the backup role, but it’s Stroud’s team. When Stroud is healthy, he will be the starter regardless of the success Mills had in his absence. Mills is no stranger to that truth, either. Stroud is the 20th-ranked quarterback in PFSN’s QB Impact score with a grade of 75.1. He hasn’t found his rookie form, but has been serviceable.
The Texans need Stroud to find a rhythm quickly. The Colts have been one of the best teams in the NFL up to this point and will take advantage if Stroud doesn’t come out firing. This is a huge divisional matchup, and a win for Houston gives them a chance at the division. It’s going to come down to the wire with the Jaguars also vying for the top spot in the AFC South. Stroud is going to have to help out their elite defense if they want a shot.
The defense has delivered for the Texans. They own the second-best defense based on PFSN’s Defense Impact score. Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter are matchup nightmares off the edge, their secondary is dangerous, and they are solid at linebacker. This defense can carry the team, but Stroud and the offense must also chip in.
The Houston defense will be raring to get after Daniel Jones, who is playing through a fractured fibula and didn’t look to be moving well in practice. While Stroud has progressed and will be healthy, the Colts have a QB who is gutting out an injury. Stroud can be ready to go in Week 13, and Jones will be too, and the question remains how Stroud will look in his return and how the lingering fracture will hamper Jones.