Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud had to be evaluated by team trainers in the sideline medical tent after taking a big hit in the second quarter against the Denver Broncos. He has since been ruled out.
On a third-and-8 play deep in Houston’s own territory, Stroud scrambled up the middle for a six yard game before sliding down short of the line to gain. As the quarterback started his slide, Broncos cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine dove to tackle Stroud and hit him in the chest.
The back of Stroud’s head hit the ground hard, and he headed to the sideline with Texans trainers.
After a brief period in the blue medical tent, Fox cameras showed Stroud exiting the game and heading to the locker room with Texans medical staff.
Backup quarterback Davis Mills entered in relief of the injured starter.
C.J. Stroud injury update
The Texans ruled Stroud out for the remainder of their Week 9 game with a concussion.
Stroud suffered a head injury in the second quarter of the Texans’ Week 9 game while sliding at the end of a scramble.
The Texans announced on social media that Stroud is in the league’s concussion protocol after an initial valuation. He is questionable to return.
Texans QB depth chart
C.J. Stroud (questionable – concussion protocol)
Davis Mills
Graham Mertz (inactive – emergency third quarterback)
Mills is in for the injured Stroud during the Texans’ Week 9 game. He had appeared in one game previously this season: a Week 5 meeting with the Baltimore Ravens. In relief of Stroud in garbage time of a blowout loss, Mills went 2-of-4 for 23 yards.
Mertz, a rookie sixth-round pick, is the Texans’ emergency third quarterback on Nov. 2. If Mills is ruled out by Houston’s athletic trainers, he would make his first career appearance against the Broncos.
