The Houston Texans were missing rookie sensation C.J. Stroud on Sunday, but Case Keenum rose to the occasion. The backup quarterback led the Texans to a 19-16 victory over the Tennessee Titans, finishing with 229 passing yards and a touchdown.
Keenum received praise from head coach DeMeco Ryans following the game.
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“Case came through for us. “It wasn’t too big for him,” Ryans told Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston.
Keenum, who went undrafted despite making noise in the collegiate ranks, is already in his 12th season and proving what experience brings. After sitting out the entire season, the 35-year-old was eager to get back into the game. Keenum attempted to connect with running back Dare Ogunbowale during the second quarter, which resulted in a pick-six by Titans cornerback Elijah Molden. Houston trailed Tennessee 13-3 at the half.
Despite outstanding defensive stops and field goals by Ka’imi Fairbairn, the Texans trailed by seven points with less than five minutes remaining in regulation. The highlight of the night came when Keenum connected on a risky pass to Dalton Schultz, putting the Texans on the three-yard line. This gave Keenum the opportunity to find Noah Brown for the game-tying touchdown.
A potential touchdown by Devin Singletary was called back during overtime due to a holding call. In the end, Fairbairn sealed the game with a 54-yard field goal, his fourth of the night.
Aside from Stroud, the Texans entered the game with four other players injured. Regardless, everyone else showed up to have fun. Case Keenum’s performance on Sunday may pave the way for more playing time in the future.
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