Which NFL winning streaks are in danger heading into Week 11?
USA TODAY Sports’ Joe Rivera and Chris Bumbaca break down which teams riding a hot streak could be in danger of losing this this weekend.
The Houston Texans appear to have plenty of problems, but C.J. Stroud’s injury is only one of them.
He was sidelined in Week 10 with a concussion, meaning all parties involved are familiarizing themselves with the league’s protocol. Houston was forced to turn to Davis Mills in Stroud’s absence, who led the team to a comeback victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
With Houston back in the playoff race, the focus shifts to Stroud’s availability going forward. The Texans are set to battle the Tennessee Titans, hoping to get back to .500.
Here’s the latest on Stroud.
When will C.J. Stroud return?
Stroud cannot return until he clears concussion protocol.
The quarterback will have to practice at some point to gain that clearance, meaning the earliest updates won’t come until Nov. 12, when the Texans release their initial injury report.
Provided Stroud can practice and avoid displaying any symptoms, he could be cleared to play as early as this week, when the Texans take on the Tennessee Titans in Week 11.
He already missed Week 10 after suffering a concussion in Week 9, but head injuries don’t always come with a definitive timeline.
The Texans would turn to Mills for a second-straight game if Stroud remains sidelined. Mills helped lead Houston to a 19-point comeback win over the Jaguars, ensuring their playoff hopes remain realistic.
What is concussion protocol in the NFL?
The NFL’s concussion protocol is designed to ensure a player’s safety after suffering a head injury. It’s a five-step process that a player must complete before they can return to play. Those steps are, as defined by the NFL:
Symptom-limited activityAerobic exerciseFootball-specific exerciseClub-based non-contact training drillsFull football activity/clearance
Before a player enters the protocol, they are evaluated on the sideline. The tests are conducted by the team’s physician and an unaffiliated neurotrauma consultant. The evaluation includes observing any “no-go” symptoms, which are things like loss of consciousness, confusion, amnesia and more, in addition to history of concussions, other signs/symptoms and video review.
At that point, a neurological exam is conducted and the player is escorted to the locker room if the sideline evaluation leaves any doubt.
Texans QB depth chart
If Stroud is unable to play, the expectation is that Mills would get the start. The backup was forced into action after Stroud departed and completed 6-of-10 pass attempts for 79 yards.
Houston was unable to score a touchdown in Week 9, needing five field goals to reach 15 points against Denver’s defense.
Mertz was inactive as the emergency third quarterback, but he’d likely step up into the backup role if Mills starts in Stroud’s absence.