Texans rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud has been medically cleared under the NFL concussion protocol, and is set to play in Sunday’s game against the Tennessee Titans.
This the final step in Stroud’s recovery from a serious concussion after the back of his helmet bounced off the hard artificial turf at MetLife Stadium on an unpenalized late hit from New York Jets defensive tackle Quinnen Williams.
After overcoming symptoms that included a sensitivity to light and loud noises, Stroud was back on the Texans’ practice field Wednesday and Thursday after being medically cleared to participate under Stage 4 of the five-phase mandatory NFL concussion protocol. He practiced on a limited basis. Now, Stroud will start in Sunday’s pivotal home game against the Titans after missing the past two games with the brain injury.
“Encouraging to have C.J. back out at practice today,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said Wednesday. “It was encouraging to see him. I think it just lifts everybody’s spirits to see him back doing well and still progressing in the right direction. So, happy about that.”
Stroud returned to team meetings last Friday and attended practice. He was replaced by Case Keenum for the past two games, including a 19-16 overtime win over the Titans on the road and a 36-22 defeat to the Cleveland Browns where Keenum was benched late in the game and replaced by Davis Mills.
Having Stroud back, a two-time Heisman Trophy finalist, second overall pick from Ohio State who’s an NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year frontrunner and Pro Bowl candidate, provides a major boost to an 8-7 team that remains in the thick of the AFC playoff hunt. Stroud has passed for 3,631 yards, 20 touchdowns and just five interceptions.
“It means a lot, it meals a lot to this offense, to this team to have your boy back out there, to see him getting his groove back,” wide receiver Nico Collins said. “We’ve got to pick up where we left off. He’s looking good, didn’t skip a beat. C.J.’s a baller, man.
“Taking his time with it, make sure he’s good. We need him. We miss him. Nobody wants to miss playing time with your brothers, but he knows what’s at stake right now. Health is everything. Whenever he’s ready to come back, you know what’s up. It doesn’t take long to get his groove back.”
No, there was no dramatic slow clap welcoming Stroud back to practice. He was just treated the same as normal.
“It was huge just to have No. 7′s presence out there,” rookie wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson said. “We missed him for two weeks. Just to see him back out there fully healthy, it was huge. Everyone’s excited and I know he’s excited. Can’t wait to see what he does back this Sunday. It’s a regular day, but you observe things and there’s a sense of confidence.”
One of the biggest priorities for the Texans in orchestrating Stroud’s return is making sure he doesn’t suffer another concussion.
That means protecting him as well as possible.
“You’re just looking for efficiency, being able to command the huddle, being efficient with the plays we’re asking him to run,” Ryans said. “You’re looking for him to be comfortable in the moment. The main thing is you want to keep the defenders off of him as much as possible so we don’t have another hit or anything to make him go backwards. We have to make sure we’re protecting him, make sure we’re playing efficient and make sure we’re pressing forward moving the football.”
Even before Wednesday, teammates expressed confidence and hope Sunday about his potential return.
And sources indicated last weekend that Stroud’s return was impending, nothing how much progress he had made in his recovery.
“Good vibes, man, you don’t want to have nobody out,” Collins said Sunday. “Glad to see him back in the building. Health is everything, so make sure he get his groove back. Looking forward to next week.
“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.”
When he was sidelined, Stroud was at the Texans’ training facility for a daily concussion test under the neurological baseline exam requirements and interacted with teammates.
Meanwhile, rookie defensive end Will Anderson Jr. (high ankle sprain), defensive tackle Maliek Collins (hip) and defensive end Jonathan Greenard (ankle sprain) didn’t practice again. Defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins hasn’t been practicing due to an ankle injury.
Returning to practice: safety Adrian Amos (non-injury related, personal), offensive guard Shaq Mason (calf), offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil (knee, rest).
Watching practice and not participating during the portion open to reporters: cornerback Steven Nelson (foot, hamstring, hand).
“Will has made some strides,” Ryans said. “He’s moving in the right direction. He’s out working out. We’ll see what he can tolerate. We’re very hopeful to get Will back. He’s been a big part of what we’ve done on defense. It would be great to have him back.”
Linebacker Blake Cashman, who’s been running full-speed for roughly a week, returned to practice from a strained hamstring that kept him out the past two games. He was limited along with wide receiver Noah Brown (knee contusion), wide receiver Nico Collins (calf), linebacker Denzel Perryman (ankle) and wide receiver Robert Woods (rest).
Woods is practicing Thursday in full pads.
Texans safety Kareem Jackson, claimed off waivers from the Denver Broncos, practiced for the first time with the team since his nine-year stint with the team after being drafted in the first round.
With Stroud back, the Texans have renewed hope about making the playoffs. Win the final two games against the Titans and the Indianapolis Colts, and they’re in for sure.
“For us, it’s a great opportunity for us,” Ryans said. “We’re playing against the Titans, really good opponent and it’s an important game for us because it’s the next game. We know how important it is and for us, we didn’t have a great outing last week, and the main thing for us is coming out and playing better.
“We want to play better in front of our home fans and would love to have their continued support. They’ve been great all year for us, been loud for us and we need that again going into our last home game here. We need our fans loud and we need them rowdy to just create that true home-field advantage that we always ask for.”
Aaron Wilson is a contributor to Sports Talk 790.
Photo: Alex Bierens de Haan / Getty Images Sport / Getty Images