Report: C.J. Stroud Has Not Yet Cleared Concussion Protocol

According to reports, C.J. Stroud has not yet cleared concussion protocol, meaning the Houston Texans could be without their starting quarterback for a second straight week.

Matt Galatzan | Dec 19, 2023

Report: C.J. Stroud Has Not Yet Cleared Concussion Protocol /

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Houston Texans

HOUSTON, TX -- The Houston Texans managed to find a way to earn a tough win over the Tennessee Titans on Sunday afternoon, narrowly coming out with a 19-16 overtime win in Nashville.

Even more impressively, is the fact that they did so without their star rookie quarterback, C.J. Stroud, who missed the game with a concussion he suffered in Week 14 in the Texans' loss to the Jets at MetLife Stadium.

However, according to reports from KPRC, Stroud has yet to be cleared from concussion protocol ahead of the team's Week 16 showdown with the Cleveland Browns.

And while Stroud has been making progress, it appears that he is still suffering from symptoms of the concussion, throwing his status for the game into doubt.

C.J. Stroud — Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Should Stroud indeed be unable to go vs. the Browns, KPRC also reports that veteran Case Keenum would earn his second straight start in place of the rookie.

In his previous start against the Titans, Keenum was able to manage the game well, completing 23 of 36 passes for 229 yards and a touchdown. That said, he did struggle at times throughout the day, and even threw a nearly disastrous pick-six in the first half.

Despite that, he was able to lead the Texans to a come-from-behind win, after trailing 13-0 late in the second quarter.

Texans Hold Derrick Henry to NFL Record-Low Numbers

Unfortunately for the Texans, the Browns and their No. 1 ranked total bring a far more daunting challenge to the field than the Titans, giving up just 261 yards and 20.6 points per game. They are also top-10 in the NFL in takeaways and tied for fifth in the NFL in interceptions.

And with their playoff hopes on the line, facing that kind of defense with a backup QB, no matter how savvy he may be, is not an ideal situation.

Published Dec 19, 2023

MATT GALATZAN

Matt Galatzan the Editor-In-Chief of TexansDaily.com. Galatzan graduated from the University of Mississippi, where he studied integrated marketing communications, with minors in journalism and business administration. Galatzan started in the sports journalism industry under Mike Fisher at DallasBasketball.com in 2014, which at the time was part of the 247Sports network. He also spent two years covering the SMU Mustangs for PonyStampede.com on the 247Sports network. When DallasBasketball.com and CowboysCountry.com moved over to Sports Illustrated's Fan Nation network in 2020, Galatzan followed suit, eventually being taking over as the Managing Editor and Publisher of LonghornsCountry.com and AllAggies.com a year later. Through the years, Galatzan has conducted a handful of high-profile one-on-one interviews to add to his resume — in both writing and podcasting. Some of his biggest interviews have been with Mavs owner Mark Cuban, former Longhorns players Dan Neil and Phil Dawson, and many other recruits, and current/former players for each of the teams he has covered. Galatzan is also a full-time employee in the digital media department for Audacy and KRLD FM's 105.3 The Fan in Dallas, which is the official radio home of the Dallas Cowboys. You can find Galatzan on all major social media channels. For any inquiries, please email matt.galatzan@gmail.com