The Houston Texans turned in a lengthy injury report on Wednesday, following their first day of practice in Week 10, and quarterback C.J. Stroud was the Texans player most had their sights set on after he suffered a concussion in Week 9.
The Texans lost to the Denver Broncos 18-15 in a game that Stroud exited before halftime.
Clinging to their postseason hopes while staring up at the Jacksonville Jaguars, their Week 10 opponent, and the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC South.
C.J. Stroud Misses Texans Practice With Concussion
GettyC.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans looks on before a game against the Seattle Seahawks.
Early expectations were already trending towards Davis Mills logging his first start since the 2022 season, with Stroud absent from the portion of practice open to the media on Wednesday. His absence drew plenty of attention long before the Texans made it official.
The Houston Chronicle’s Sam Warren was first to note that Stroud was not present for the start of Texans practice. This came as the Texans posted a video of their “play maker” on X.
Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans suggested the Texans are preparing for Davis Mills to start.
Ryans’ comments have proven telling, though a lot can change between the first and final injury reports of the week. Ryans said on Monday that he had spoken with Stroud, whose mother said he was “ok,” and that the QB was “doing better.”
Still, the first practice of the week offered an ominous glimpse ahead for the Texans. Mills is 5-19-1 in his career, though he is 2-1 in three starts against the Jaguars.
Ryans said on Wednesday that “I do not see C.J. playing this week.”
This is the second time in Stroud’s career he will miss a game, and the first since his rookie season. The last time it happened, which was also due to a concussion, the Texans split matchups against the Tennessee Titans (won) and the Cleveland Browns (lost).
Texans Issue Lengthy Injury Report
GettyHouston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans looks on before facing the Seattle Seahawks.
Unfortunately for Mills and the Texans, that is not their only concern to start a critical Week 10, with the Jaguars looming.
In addition to Stroud, the Texans did not have defensive end Will Anderson, right tackle Tytus Howard, or nickelback Jalen Pitre, just to name a few, on the field while the media was allowed to view practice.
Howard falls under the same header as Stroud.
Ryans noted that he has rarely seen players sustain concussions in games and suit up the following week.
According to KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson, Pitre’s issue arose on the final play of Week 9 against the Broncos, but it is not considered serious. The next two days of practice will prove telling, with the Texans also placing rookie third-round pick Jaylin Smith on season-ending injured reserve.
Moreover, Ryans confirmed that kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn will miss Sunday’s contest.
The Texans telegraphed that decision, though, signing journeyman Matthew Wright to their practice squad on Tuesday.
DeMeco Ryans Gets Honest About Davis Mills
Tim Warner/Getty ImagesDavis Mills is likely to start at quarterback for the Texans on Sunday against Jacksonville
The Texans selected Mills with the No. 67 overall pick in 2021, before Ryans or Stroud arrived in Houston.
Mills signed a one-year, $5 million extension with the Texans that keeps him under team control through 2026. Ryans noted some unevenness in Mills’ game in relief of Stroud against the Broncos’ vaunted defense.
He also expressed faith that the QB will be better following a full week of starter’s practice reps.
“It helps a lot when you go in knowing that, ‘Hey, you’re getting all of the reps with the starters. It should help him as he preps. Because I always believe you have to practice well to play well. So for especially, the quarterback position, it’s always tough for a backup quarterback. That’s why I think it’s one of the toughest jobs in the league, right?” Ryans said on “Texans: All-Access” on November 3.
“I thought Davis made some good plays. He did some good things in the game. I think he’ll be better having a full week of work.”
Texans Deliver Critical C.J. Stroud Update Before Jaguars Game