Texans QB C.J. Stroud Returns to Start Week 17 vs. Titans

After missing the previous two games due to a concussion, rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud will start Sunday against the Titans.

HOUSTON — Houston Texans' C.J. Stroud will start for the Houston Texans' Week 17 contest against the Tennessee Titans Sunday afternoon at NRG Stadium. The game will mark the return of Stroud after a two-week absence due to a concussion sustained during the Texans' 30-6 loss to the New York Jets on Dec. 10.

Stroud said he "feels great" and is ready to help the Texans keep their postseason hopes alive, while offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik believes the time off will not hamper Stroud's on-field production.

So far this season, Stroud has completed 62.4 percent of his passes for 3,631 yards, 20 touchdowns, and five interceptions across 13 games.

Texans QB C.J. Stroud during preseason game vs. Patriots / © Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

"I feel like everything that happened I don't want to say happened for a reason, but it was kind of something that I guess God wanted me to go through," Stroud said. "It was tough. It wasn't easy, but my teammates held it down as best as they could, and I appreciate them for that. Now I'm back, and I'm happy to be here, and I'm happy to just do my job again.”

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.

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"We are just looking for efficiency," coach DeMeco Ryans said. "Being able to command the huddle while being efficient with the plays we are asking him to run. We are looking for him to be comfortable in the moment.

"But the main thing, we want to keep the defenders off him as much as possible so we won't have another hit to make him go backward."