Texans QB C.J. Stroud's rough 2025 continues with concussion

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) drops to throw during the first half against the Denver Broncos at NRG Stadium. Sean Thomas-Imagn Images

Texans QB C.J. Stroud's rough 2025 continues after exiting with concussion vs. Broncos

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Nov 2, 2025 4:39 PM ET

Things haven't gone to plan for Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud this season.

Through his first seven starts, the 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year went 3-4 and took 15 sacks. Now, he has suffered a significant injury.

C.J. Stroud exited with a concussion in Week 9 vs. Broncos

Early in the second quarter of Houston's 18-15 home loss to the Denver Broncos on Sunday, Stroud scrambled for six yards on a 3rd-and-8 at the Texans' 23-yard line. Broncos cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine pounced into the QB's chest while he was sliding, causing his head to smack the ground.

The former Ohio State star was slow to get up but walked to the medical tent. Stroud was subsequently placed into concussion protocol and ruled out of the game. Backup QB Davis Mills replaced him.

C.J. Stroud suffered an apparent injury on this play vs. the Broncos.

He was able to walk off the field on his own and is now being evaluated for a concussion in the locker room. pic.twitter.com/WBcNf6ezWs
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) November 2, 2025

Stroud could miss time because of the concussion. He hasn't missed a game since his rookie season in 2023, when he suffered a concussion in a loss to the New York Jets.

C.J. Stroud's injury continues rough season for star QB

After a disappointing year in 2024, Stroud was aiming to rebound this season. Last season, he tossed 20 TDs and 12 interceptions in 17 games after throwing 23 TDs and five picks as a rookie.

Stroud, for the most part, has looked decent. Entering Sunday's game against the Broncos, he had completed 66.8% of his passes for 1,623 yards, 11 TDs and five picks.

However, the Texans haven't met expectations this season, and the QB has seemed irritated with his team's underwhelming play. Following a 14-9 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in Week 1, he said Houston needed to stop "lollygagging."

The injury will only add to Stroud's frustrations. The QB hasn't been perfect this season. Still, it's easy to argue he has been a victim of circumstance, which has prevented him from building on his impressive rookie year.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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