The Houston Texans got a welcome sight on Tuesday, as third-year quarterback C.J. Stroud practiced for the first time since he suffered a concussion in their Week 9 loss to the Denver Broncos.
The Texans face the Buffalo Bills and 2024 MVP QB Josh Allen on “Thursday Night Football” in Week 12, adding additional emphasis to Stroud’s status.
However, Stroud and the Texans are not out of the woods just yet.
C.J. Stroud Remains in Concussion Protocol, Returns to Texans Practice
GettyC.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans takes the field before a game against the Carolina Panthers.
The Texans have gone 2-0 in Stroud’s absence, with Davis Mills at the helm. Still, they are eager to get Stroud back as soon as possible after he missed their walkthrough on Monday.
It is simply unclear when that will be.
“While C.J. Stroud could technically pass protocol in time for Thursday’s game vs. Bills, this is more than likely in preparation for the Nov. 30 game vs. Colts,” The Houston Chronicle’s Jonathan M. Alexander posted on X, along with video of the QB practicing.
Alexander expressed similar sentiments before Stroud took the practice field with the Texans on Tuesday, noting the team’s “main priority is his health.”
Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans made it clear they are following the NFL’s process.
“We’re hopeful for C.J. to get back healthy. That’s the first thing, and the most important thing. And for me in my spot, I just have to deal with it based on when they pass the steps they need to pass,” Ryans told reporters on November 17. “As of right now, it’s kind of nothing that I can do from my seat here. I’m just praying for those guys to just get back healthy.”
The NFL breaks down its return to action process for players like Stroud, who are recovering from concussions, into five “phases.” According to KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson, Stroud’s symptoms have “subsided.”
That is encouraging for the Texans, even if Stroud will still not return until Week 13, when they visit the Indianapolis Colts.
NFL Concussion Protocol Explained
GettyC.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans walks off the field after defeating the Baltimore Ravens.
Per the NFL, Phase 1 is “symptom limited activity,” in which the “player-patient is prescribed rest, limiting or, if necessary, avoiding activities (both physical and cognitive) which increase or aggravate symptoms.”
That can include stretching and light aerobic exercise, the latter of which is the focus in Phase 2 of the return-to-action plan. Players can also attend team meetings in this phase.
Here, players should be back at “baseline level of symptoms” or cleared by a team physician.
Phase 3 is “football specific exercise.” Players are allowed to return to practice under significant restrictions. They are only allowed to participate for up to 30 minutes, and there is no contact, with many often sporting a special jersey color to signify their status. Stroud is presumably here.
Phase 4 intensifies the level of participation, but contact is still off-limits. In Phase 5, players have gained clearance from team physicians for contact in practice.
Finally, players must be cleared by an unaffiliated neurotrauma consultant.
Only once a player shows no ill effects from one phase are they permitted to move on to another. And if symptoms return, the player must repeat testing. They are tested for symptoms throughout the entire process.
Texans QB C.J. Stroud Sparks Reality Check in Return to Practice