Texans Rookie QB C.J. Stroud in Concussion Protocol After Head Injury in Loss to Jets

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud is in the NFL's concussion protocol after hurting his head late in a 30-6 loss to the New York Jets on Sunday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

The team does not yet know whether the rookie will be cleared to face AFC South rival Tennessee next Sunday. Coach DeMeco Ryans said, "We'll see how he progresses throughout the week."

The injury came with 6:30 left in the game. Stroud completed a 6-yard pass to John Metchie and was hit by Jets defensive lineman Quinnen Williams. He fell backward, and his head appeared to bounce off the turf. Medical staff examined him briefly on the sideline, and he then walked to the locker room. The Texans soon ruled him out, and Davis Mills took over at quarterback.

Ryans pointed to the protection on the play. "On the hit with C.J., we've got to block it better," he said. "We can't allow them to get back to our quarterback."

Stroud, who arrived leading the league in passing yards, struggled against an aggressive Jets defense. He completed 10 of 23 passes for 91 yards, a season low, and was sacked four times before leaving. Houston (7-6) managed only 135 total yards, converted 1 of 12 third downs and went 0 for 3 on fourth down, marking its worst offensive showing of the season. Mills, who would likely start if Stroud cannot play, went 1 of 5 for 4 yards and was sacked once.

Ryans said the problems began with execution. "You've got to be able to execute the game plan and do what we have to do, no matter who's in there," he said. Mills described watching his teammate go down as "super tough" and said, "I love that man, battling week in, week out." Tight end Brevin Jordan said the team "came out flat."

The loss halted a strong run for Houston, which had won four of its previous five games. Its only defeat in that stretch was a 24-21 loss to Jacksonville two weeks earlier. The Texans missed a chance to gain ground in the division when first-place Jacksonville (8-5) lost 31-27 at Cleveland. Indianapolis (7-6), level with Houston for second, also lost, 34-14 at Cincinnati.

Stroud, the No. 2 overall pick in April's draft, had thrown for 3,540 yards entering the game, the third most by a player through his first 12 games. He has 20 touchdown passes and five interceptions, and he has gone three games without throwing an interception. Jordan called him "the light of our team" and said, "The next man got to be up and ready to go."

Injuries piled up elsewhere for Houston. Wide receiver Tank Dell was already out after breaking his left leg in last week's win over Denver. Wide receiver Nico Collins left early with a calf injury and did not return, nor did cornerback Tavierre Thomas or linebacker Blake Cashman, who both had hamstring injuries in the first half. Rookie defensive end Will Anderson hurt an ankle in the fourth quarter.