HOUSTON – Texans rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud remains under the mandatory NFL concussion protocol and is making incremental progress in his recovery as he’s still dealing with common symptoms, including a sensitivity to light, according to league sources.
Stroud has not been medically cleared and his status for Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Browns is still being determined. His symptoms continue to improve, sources said.
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If Stroud isn’t cleared to play, Case Keenum will start for the second consecutive week. Earlier this season, Texans linebacker Henry To’oTo’o missed two games with a concussion. Every concussion and the recovery is different.
“With C.J., he’s still in the concussion protocol, and we’ll see how he progresses throughout the week,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said Monday.
Stroud got hurt on a late hit by New York Jets defensive tackle Quinnen Williams as his helmet bounced off the artificial turf at MetLife Stadium.
Keenum stepped in for Stroud during a 19-16 overtime win over the Tennessee Titans and played well, throwing one touchdown pass with one interception.
“That’s the main thing, him getting back healthy,” Ryans said last Friday. " He’s starting to watch a little film. He’s getting back healthy and getting back normal. That’s the main thing for C.J. For me, the game is the last thing. It’s how healthy is C.J. That’s the only thing that matters.
“The game, it will take care of itself. We’re concerned about C.J.’s health. t’s not about this game. It’s how is C.J. doing. That’s how we approach everything when it comes to the health of our players.”
A frontrunner for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year who ranks third in the Pro Bowl balloting among all players, Stroud hasn’t been cleared to return to practice under the league’s five-step concussion protocol. Until he is medically cleared, he’s ineligible under NFL rules to practice or play in a game.
Stroud is making steady progress and feeling a lot better, per sources, but he hasn’t reached a point in his recovery where he is allowed to practice yet.
“It’s all about the health of C.J.,” Ryans said. “We’ll never put a guy out there who’s not ready to go, so it’s all about the health of our players. That’s always the first thing.”
Stroud was in visible pain and groggy after his helmet was slammed to the ground Sunday. Stroud was helped off the field by trainers and went to the locker room as he was placed under the NFL concussion protocol.
Stroud wasn’t at the Texans’ training facility much last week.
“As much as he can right now, he’s still in the protocol so he hasn’t been in the building too much,” Texans quarterback Davis Mills said. “C.J. has always been the guy who’s going to be extremely generous and make sure his teammates are in the best spot they can be to go out and execute on gameday.”
Under NFL concussion protocol, to return to play, there are five phases of participation: Phase 1 (symptom limited activity); Phase 2 (aerobic exercise), Phase 3 (football-specific exercise); Phase 4 (club-based non-contact training drills); Phase 5 (full football activity-clearance).
“I don’t think many guys have come back the following week after a concussion,” Ryans said last week. “You have to make sure, at the end of the day, no matter the position, no matter who the guy is, you have to make sure your guys are healthy and we are protecting guys and they’re right.
“When it comes to the concussion and the head injuries, we have to make sure we’re protecting all of our guys. It’s more about their long-term health, as opposed to everybody gets excited about the next game and the next opportunity. We care about these guys as men off the field and making sure their health is the utmost importance to us.”
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com.