Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud. Sean Thomas-Imagn Images

Texans' C.J. Stroud has massive opportunity if he returns in Week 13

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Nov 26, 2025 7:35 PM ET

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud has missed three games due to a concussion but may be nearing a return.

The Texans listed Stroud as a full participant during Wednesday's practice. Houston head coach DeMeco Ryans said the QB remains in concussion protocol, but that may signal he's on track to play in a Week 13 road game against the Indianapolis Colts at 1 p.m. ET on CBS.

If Stroud plays against Indianapolis, he could remind fans why the Texans still consider him the QB of the future.

C.J. Stroud was struggling before suffering a concussion

Stroud — who was concussed in a Week 9 home loss to the Denver Broncos — has a 3-5 record in eight starts, tossing 11 touchdowns and five interceptions. During this span, the Texans averaged a below-average 21 points per game, via StatMuse.

Houston #Texans Wednesday Injury Report for Week 13 at the Indianapolis Colts: pic.twitter.com/pfUh6DfIcn
— Houston Texans PR (@TexansPR) November 26, 2025

Since backup QB Davis Mills replaced him, the offense has looked noticeably smoother. In three games with the 2021 third-round pick starting, the Texans have averaged an above-average 25 PPG, going 3-0. The former Stanford star has thrown five TDs and one interception during this stretch.

That's not to say there's a QB controversy brewing in Houston, which would be absurd. Even Mills has said he'll return to the bench when Stroud recovers from his concussion. But it does show the Texans need more from the third-year QB.

Since winning the 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year Award, Stroud has struggled to build off that remarkable rookie season. Over his past 25 starts, the Ohio State product has a 13-12 record and has averaged 216 passing yards per game. During his rookie season, he went 9-6 and logged a league-leading 273.9 passing yards per game.

It's worth mentioning that Stroud is in his first season under new offensive coordinator Nick Caley, but elite QBs excel regardless of the system they play in. The 24-year-old passer can dispel some of these concerns in Sunday's game against the Colts.

The Colts (8-3) lead the AFC South but have lost two of their past three games. Houston (6-5) pulling off an upset would help it draw closer in the divisional race. It could also show why the Texans don't believe Stroud's rookie year was a flash in the pan.

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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