Texans QB C.J. Stroud Looks 'Same As He Always Has' After Injury

Amid his return against the Titans, Houston Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik says quarterback C.J. Stroud looks "the same."

HOUSTON — Rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud will start Sunday for the Houston Texans' Week 17 contest against the Tennessee Titans. It will be Stroud's first game after a concussion sidelined him for the previous two games.

Stroud said he "feels great" and is ready to help the Texans keep their postseason hopes alive. After two consecutive days of practice, offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik believes the time off will not hamper Stroud's on-field production at NRG Stadium.

"He has looked the same way he has always looked," Slowik said. "There's really been no difference in that regard. He's doing a great job just progressing through the stages he's at. He's on track, and we'll see where he's at on Sunday. But he's the same as he always has been in practice."

Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud looks for an open receiver during the first quarter against the Denver Broncos at NRG Stadium / Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Before going down with a concussion, Stroud had put together one of the best seasons by a rookie quarterback in league history. He had completed 62.4 percent of his passes for 3,631 yards, 20 touchdowns, and five interceptions across 13 games. His play under center is one of the primary reasons for the Texans' quick turnaround after three consecutive dreadful seasons.

Amid his return, Slowik revealed that there will not be limitations on Stroud after evaluating the former Ohio State prospect at the Houston Methodist Training Center.

“I always start with the feet," Slowik said. "My first thing is always – I think feet are a great indication of a quarterback – of how comfortable and confident he is. That's usually my starting point.

"Then how fast the ball is just coming out of his hands, which part of that's going to be me, what play I called and his number one open and stuff like that. How fast he can snap through progressions usually is also tied to the feet. Just all that stuff I think you can really centralize for a quarterback down low."

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Stroud sustained the concussion during the Texans' 30-6 loss to the New York Jets on Dec. 10.

The Texans went 1-1 in Stroud's absence, while veteran quarterback Case Keenum started both games. Keenum's best performance came during Houston's 19-16 overtime victory over the Titans on Dec. 17. He finished the game throwing for 229 yards and one passing touchdown while going 23 of 36 at Nissan Stadium.