Texans' QB C.J. Stroud's Return to Practice is 'Encouraging'

After missing the previous two games due to a concussion, Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud returned to practice Wednesday afternoon.

HOUSTON — Houston Texans' C.J. Stroud returned to practice Wednesday afternoon for the first time after a two-week absence. Stroud missed the previous two games due to a concussion he sustained during the Texans' 30-6 loss to the New York Jets on Dec. 10.

With 6:43 left in the fourth quarter, Stroud took a hit by Jets defensive lineman Quinnen Williams. Following the tackle, Stroud's head bounced off the turf of MetLife Stadium. After a few seconds of grimacing in pain, he walked to the locker room and did not return.

Coach DeMeco Ryans revealed that Stroud is in the second to last stages of the league's protocol. But his status for Sunday's game against the Tennessee Titans is unknown.

Texans' rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud at NRG Stadium / Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports

"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."

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.

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," 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."