Texans injury issues continue with C.J. Stroud entering concussion protocol

Sunday was not a particularly good day for the Houston Texans. Not only did they drop an ugly 30-6 decision to the New York Jets, they also lost several key players on offense. That list of players includes starting quarterback C.J. Stroud.

Stroud left the game in the fourth quarter after hitting his head on the turf and has already been placed into the concussion protocol. 

Stroud was not the only key injury the Texans offense suffered on Sunday. Already playing without rookie wide receiver Tank Dell, the Texans also lost wide receiver Nico Collins and tight end Dalton Schultz in the loss. Those three represent the Texans' top-three receiving options on the season.

Without them the Texans offense was completely ineffective against one of the best defenses in the NFL. The Texans only touchdown came on a short field following a fumble recovery, while they accounted for just 135 total yards on 52 plays. 

The struggles of the offense are at least somewhat expected given who the Texans were playing without and the type of defense they were playing against. 

The bigger issue in the short-term is that the defense — which has exceeded all expectations this season — gave up 30 points to the Jets and allowed Zach Wilson to throw for 268 yards and two touchdowns. 

With the loss Houston (7-6) falls back out of a playoff spot in the AFC and remains one game back of Jacksonville for the top spot in the AFC South. 

Houston's four remaining games include two games with AFC South rival Tennessee, a home game against Cleveland and a Week 18 game at the Indianapolis Colts. 

Those games against the Browns and Colts are also against other playoff contenders in the AFC and could determine a playoff spot. The health of the Texans offense will play a big role in their ability to win them.