Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud. Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud is having a much longer battle with his concussion than most.

Stroud is slated to miss the Texans’ Christmas Eve clash against the Cleveland Browns at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. It will be the second straight week the rookie QB has missed following a concussion he suffered on Dec. 10 against the New York Jets.

According to CBS insider Jonathan Jones, Stroud suffered “one of the most significant concussions sustained by a quarterback this season.”

Stroud has reportedly been unable to participate in Texans practices, even in a limited capacity.

Stroud is just one of two quarterbacks this season — the other being Minnesota Vikings QB Jaren Hall — to miss multiple weeks while in concussion protocol.

However, Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans does not believe that Stroud’s concussion could potentially end his season.

“End? Why [would] you say that? No, no. Don’t shock me like that,” Ryans said Wednesday. “No, we’re going through the protocol. … The most important thing is making sure C.J. is healthy. And when he’s ready to go, he’ll be ready to go.”

The 8-6 Texans are in a three-way tie with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Indianapolis Colts for the AFC South division lead. 

After Houston’s matchup against the Browns Sunday, the team still has two games left in the season to get Stroud back on the field.

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