Texans rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud has made significant progress in his recovery from a concussion and is expected to resume activity at practice this week, starting today, per league sources.
His concussion symptoms, including a sensitivity to light and loud noises, have subsided, per sources.
The NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and Pro Bowl candidate attended meetings and practice last Friday and teammates expressed confidence and hope Sunday about his potential return.
Stroud remains under the mandatory NFL concussion protocol, but optimism has increased about his potential availability for Sunday’s game against the Tennessee Titans.
“Good vibes, man, you don’t want to have nobody out,” wide receiver Nico Collins said. “Glad to see him back in the building. Health is everything, so make sure he get his groove back. Looking forward to next week.
“A lot, QB1 right now. That’s the reason that we drafted him. That’s the reason he’s had so much impact for this team. It’s going to be exciting to have my dog back out there, man.”
Stroud has missed two games since suffering a concussion against the New York Jets on an unpenalized late hit from New York Jets defensive tackle Quinnen Williams.
Stroud has been at the Texans’ training facility for a daily concussion test under the neurological baseline exam and has interacted with teammates, per sources.
Stroud was out for his second consecutive game Sunday against the Cleveland Browns after suffering the head injury against the New York Jets on a late hit by defensive tackle Quinnen Williams.
Stroud was officially ruled out last Friday along with defensive end Will Anderson Jr. (high-ankle sprain) and linebacker Blake Cashman (hamstring strain).
Case Keenum started against the Browns in a 36-22 loss before being replaced late in the game by Davis Mills.
Texans coach DeMeco Ryans was asked if Stroud could potentially not return this season, answering, ‘No.’
“Oh, why do you say that? Don’t shock me like that," Ryans said. ''No, we’re going through the protocol. Each person, each concussion is different. Each person, it takes a different amount of time for each person to heal, just like with anything else.
“He’s just going through the protocol just like everyone else has throughout – whenever they’ve been in the concussion protocol. At the end of the day, the most important thing is making sure that C.J. is healthy. When he’s ready to go, he’ll be ready to go. I’ll let you guys know.”
Aaron Wilson is a contributor to Sports Talk 790.