Texans QB CJ Stroud to Miss TNF with Concussion

The Houston Texans are gearing up for another challenging week with Davis Mills stepping in as the starting quarterback once again, as the Buffalo Bills prepare to visit NRG Stadium for Thursday Night Football. Starting QB C.J. Stroud has officially been ruled out due to a concussion sustained in Week 9 against the Denver Broncos. Given that Stroud did not participate in Monday’s practice and considering the short turnaround of a Thursday game, it was all but certain that the former Offensive Rookie of the Year would be sidelined this week.

Stroud, who showcased remarkable durability last season by appearing in all 19 of Houston’s combined regular and postseason games, has only missed two contests since entering the league—both due to concussions. Despite the high expectations from his sensational rookie campaign, the Ohio State product has yet to fully replicate that level of production this season. Nevertheless, he remains the cornerstone of Houston’s offense and is widely viewed as the franchise quarterback moving forward, and for good reason.

In Stroud’s absence, the Texans have managed to secure victories in both of their games with Mills leading the offense. With a 5-5 record to show for their efforts, Houston remains firmly in the hunt for a playoff spot, making these upcoming games all the more critical. Mills has demonstrated solid performance during his two starts, throwing for 292 and 274 yards, respectively, and tallying three touchdowns against a single interception.

On Thursday night, Mills and the Texans will face off against a Buffalo Bills defense that has struggled considerably against the run this season. Despite those issues, the Bills’ pass defense remains formidable, ranking second in the NFL in passing yards allowed per game in 2025. This contrast sets the stage for an intriguing matchup where Mills will need to navigate a tough secondary while Houston seeks to capitalize on Buffalo’s vulnerability against the run in an effort to keep their playoff hopes alive.