HOUSTON — Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud is in the concussion protocol and his coach on Monday confirmed he suffered one.
During the Texans’ Monday news conference, Ryans said that he’ll monitor the rookie QB’s progress, but doesn't want to rush Stroud back onto the field.
“Yeah, we’ll see as he goes throughout the week, we’ll see how he progresses throughout the concussion protocol and that just has to run its course,” Ryans said. “I don’t think many guys have come back the following week after a concussion. You have to make sure at the end of the day that no matter the position, no matter who the guy is, you have to make sure that your guys are healthy and we’re protecting guys and their right when it comes to the concussion or the head injuries.”
Stroud was injured in the fourth quarter of Houston’s 30-6 loss to the New York Jets Sunday. He took a hit after getting a pass off and when he fell, his head hit the turf. Stroud was down for several minutes before he was helped off the field.
This Sunday at noon, Houston takes on the Tennessee Titans in Nashville in a key AFC South division showdown. At 7-6, Houston is right in the thick of the playoff race, one game back of the division leader Jacksonville. Each of the final four games is critical, but Ryans said no win is worth a player’s health.
“It’s more about their long-term health, as opposed to, just everybody gets excited about the next game and the next opportunity, but we care about these guys as men off the field and making sure that their health is the utmost importance to us,” he said.
If Stroud can’t go, Davis Mills will get the start. Mills started for Houston each of the last two seasons, so he’s been there before.
“He’s done a good job for us,” Ryans said. “The reps that he’s gotten on the scout team and everything – he’s done a good job for us -- demeanor has been the same. He’s done what we’ve asked him to do.”
Stroud wasn’t the only key injury for the Texans in Sunday’s loss. With rookie receiver Tank Dell already out for the season, receiver Nico Collins went down with a calf injury in the first half. That took away another one of the Texans’ top targets this season.
If Collins is scratched from Sunday’s game, it’s got to be the next man up for Houston.
“Losing Nico is tough,” Ryan said. “Nico has been an explosive playmaker for us all year. He’s a guy who’s been truly reliable. When we’ve needed it most in those moments, Nico has showed up and made those plays, so when you lose him, things change. How you call the plays, plays that you had designed for Nico – that changes because he isn’t out there. So, you have to find a way to still continue to move the ball. Other people have to step up and make plays and when that opportunity is thrust upon them, are they stepping up and making those plays?”
What has to happen for a player to return to action after suffering a concussion?
The NFL has a five-stop return-to-participation program. The five steps are below. Each case is different, as is each timeline for returning to action.