Texans are expected to be without star player against Browns

admin | December 21, 2023 | Other Clubs | No Comments

December 21 (UPI) –C.J. Stroud of the Houston Texans is still in the concussion protocol and is expected to miss the Texans’ Week 16 game against the Cleveland Browns.

Stroud, who missed Week 15, is still in the protocol, according to Texans coach DeMeco Ryans.Stroud is slated to miss his second consecutive game, according to ESPN, The Athletic, and KPRC 2 Houston.

Through the first 13 games of the season, Stroud completed 62.4% of his attempts for 3,631 yards, 20 touchdowns, and five interceptions. Prior to his departure, the No. 2 overall choice in the 2023 NFL Draft was the leading contender for Offensive Rookie of the Year accolades and was in the MVP conversation.

Stroud left the Texans’ Week 14 loss to the New York Jets in the fourth quarter. He then missed Sunday’s 19-16 victory over the Tennessee Titans in Nashville.

Case Keenum, the Titans’ backup quarterback, completed 23 of 36 throws for 229 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.

If Stroud is ruled out against the Browns, Keenum is slated to take over.

The Texans (8-6) are in third place in the AFC South. The first-place Jacksonville Jaguars and second-place Indianapolis Colts have an 8-6 record against each other. The Texans are currently ranked eighth in the AFC playoff standings, with the top seven teams going to the postseason.

The Browns (9-5) sit a game behind the first-place Baltimore Ravens (11-3) in the AFC North. They are currently ranked fifth in the AFC.