Welcome Back CJ,Who has been in concussion since suffering the injury in Week 14
The Houston Texans got some good news on Wednesday when quarterback C.J. Stroud returned to practice for the first time in nearly three weeks.
Stroud has been out since Week 14 due to a concussion suffered during Houston’s loss to the New York Jets.
Case Keenum started the Texans’ final two games, a win over the Tennessee Titans and a loss to the Cleveland Browns on Christmas Eve.
On Sunday, Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans informed NFL Network’s Stacey Dales that Stroud was making improvement and was present at team meetings. Ryans told the reporters following Wednesday’s practice that Stroud is in Phase 4 of the regimen.
“It’s encouraging to have CJ back out at practice today,” Ryans said in a statement. “Seeing him back, doing well, and still progressing in the right direction lifts everyone’s spirits.” He’s currently in [step] 4 of the concussion protocol, with one more step to go.
“All we’re looking for is efficiency.” The ability to command a huddle. Being efficient with the plays we’ve asked him to run. You want him to be at ease in the present moment. And the most important thing is to keep the defenders off of him as much as possible so we don’t have another hit that causes him to fall backwards. We want to be certain that we are protecting him.”
Stroud was second in the NFL in passing yards (3,631) prior to his injury in Week 14.
The Texans complete the season with games against the Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts. They are currently tied for first place in the AFC South with the Indianapolis Colts and the Jacksonville Jaguars, but owing to tiebreakers, they are just outside the playoff picture.
Headshot of C.J. Stroud
C.J. Stroud Q QB – HOU – #7 2023 – 2024 SEASON 3,631 Yds 279.3 Y/G 62.4 Comp Pct 20 TD 98.7 QBRat
However, Stroud’s commanding lead in the Offensive Rookie of the Year contest has eroded as Los Angeles Rams receiver Puka Nacua has made significant gains.
With two games left, Nacua, the 177th overall pick, is on pace to break the NFL’s single-season record for catches by a rookie — Jaylen Waddle of the Miami Dolphins grabbed 104 in 2021. Nacua has 14 receptions for 196 yards and a touchdown in the two games that Stroud has missed. In 15 games, he has 96 receptions for 1,327 yards and five touchdowns.
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