Texans QB C.J. Stroud Clears Concussion Protocol, Will Play vs. Titans

The Houston Texans are expected to get star rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud back in the lineup vs. the Tennessee Titans.

The Houston Texans have been without their star rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud for the last two games due to a concussion. 

But on Thursday, Houston finally got some tangible good news on that front, with Stroud now set to return to the starting lineup after clearing concussion protocol, according to reports.

Stroud had returned to practice on Wednesday on a limited basis, with head coach DeMeco Ryans displaying optimism that the rookie star was making progress toward a return. 

Now, it appears that Stroud has cleared those hurdles, and will return under center just in time for the team's critical matchup with Tennessee.

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"It was encouraging to see C.J. back on the field today," Ryans said. "It lifts everybody's spirits to see him back and doing well. He is still progressing in the right direction. I am happy about that. He is in stage four of the protocol. And now, he has one more phase to go."

Stroud originally suffered the concussion in Week 14 during the team's 30-6 blowout loss to the New York Jets, where he was just one of a slew of injuries.

In replacement of Stroud, veteran Case Keenum took the reigns of the offense, leading the Texans to a come-from-behind overtime win over the Titans in Week 15.

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Keenum did not have as much luck in Week 16 vs. the vaunted Browns defense, getting benched in the midst of a blowout loss. Davis Mills then replaced Keenum, leading the Texans on a couple of scoring drives before the clock hit zero.

Whatever the case, the offense was nowhere near the same without Stroud in the lineup, and with their playoff hopes on the line, the Texans should be in a much better position to extend their playoff hopes vs. their division rivals.

The Texans and Titans will kick off Sunday at noon at NRG Stadium.