The Waiting Game: CJ Stroud Still In Concussion Protocol

Monday morning press conferences are expected routine affairs, a recap of the weekend's action and a vague look ahead. But today, Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans dropped the sentence that every fan in H-Town has been dreading, even if they expected it, C.J. Stroud is still in concussion protocol.

Yes, the optimism is there. Ryans insists Stroud is "on track" to play this Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts. But "on track" is not "cleared." And until the independent neurologist signs that paperwork, the Texans are playing a dangerous game of chicken with their franchise’s future and a pivotal AFC South showdown.

Here is the uncomfortable truth that makes this Monday's news so complicated: The Texans haven't just survived without Stroud, but rather they have thrived and stayed relevant in the AFC South. Backup quarterback Davis Mills has steered the ship to a stunning 3-0 record in Stroud’s absence, toppling the Jaguars, Titans, and Bills.

DeMeco Ryans’ declaration today that "Stroud is QB1 when he returns" is the correct football move. You don't bench a generational talent like Stroud because your backup managed not to crash the car. But, we are staring down the barrel of a Week 13 matchup against an 8-2 Colts team that currently sits atop the division.

If Stroud clears protocol late in the week, let's say Friday or Saturday, do you really throw him into the fire of a high-stakes divisional road game after nearly a month of inactivity? The rust factor is real, and against a Colts defense that has been hunting quarterbacks all season, a half-step slow could be catastrophic.

Stroud has now missed three games since that scary hit against Denver in Week 9. Three weeks is a long time in the NFL concussion protocol. While every brain injury is unique, the lingering nature of his symptoms suggests this wasn't a minor "ding." It was a significant event. If it is significant, then just let him heal and let Mills carry the torch in the meantime.

By stating Stroud is still in protocol on this Monday, Ryans is technically following procedure, but he is also keeping the door to anxiety wide open. If Wednesday rolls around and Stroud is still wearing a non-contact jersey, or worse, not practicing, he "on track" narrative falls apart.

The Texans are walking on a tightrope. The Colts game is arguably the most important fixture of the 2025 calendar so far. Winning it would be a statement that the AFC South still runs through Houston.

If Thursday (at the latest in my opinion) comes and the protocol status hasn't changed, the smartest move would be trusting the hot hand of Davis Mills for one more week and letting your franchise cornerstone heal completely. Money Mills has undoubtedly done his job to when needed, with a winning streak on top of that.