Will CJ Stroud play today vs. Titans? Injury status, update for Texans QB
- - Will CJ Stroud play today vs. Titans? Injury status, update for Texans QB
Jack McKessy, USA TODAYNovember 16, 2025 at 3:04 AM
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Will CJ Stroud play today vs. Titans? Injury status, update for Texans QB
C.J. Stroud has missed a game and a half with a concussion he suffered in Week 9. Will the Houston Texans' quarterback play in Week 11?
On Nov. 13, Texans head coach ruled out Stroud for their Nov. 16 divisional meeting with the Tennessee Titans. KPRC 2 Houston reporter Aaron Wilson reported on Nov. 12 that Stroud was still experiencing concussion symptoms – headaches and sensitivity to light – and that backup Davis Mills was preparing for a second straight start.
Houston's former No. 2 overall pick did not participate in practice throughout the week while continuing to deal with his head injury. Stroud will need to clear the NFL's concussion protocol before he returns to game action for the first time since Week 9.
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In his absence, Mills helped lead the Texans to a massive fourth-quarter comeback over the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 10. He will get the start on Nov. 16 as Stroud remains in concussion protocol.
Here's the latest on Stroud:
makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
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Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
">Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
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1 / 4Best images of the 2025 NFL season
Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
TEXANS AT TITANS: Predictions, picks and odds for NFL Week 11 game
Is C.J. Stroud playing this week?
No. Stroud remains in the NFL's concussion protocol during Week 11.
The Texans' starting quarterback continued to suffer from concussion symptoms throughout the week leading up to the Nov. 16 game and was unable to progress through the protocol. Houston's head coach announced Stroud will remained sidelined at least one more week.
Stroud could return in Week 12 against the Buffalo Bills if he is able to progress through the league's concussion protocol. However, it is a short week, so Stroud will have to make marked progress through it in order to play on "Thursday Night Football."
Mills, Stroud's backup and the Texans' third-round pick from the 2021 NFL Draft, will make his second start of the season. He's 1-0 this year after beating the Jaguars in a Week 10 game that featured 26 fourth-quarter points from the Texans.
What is the NFL concussion protocol?
The NFL's concussion protocol is a five-step process that each player diagnosed with a concussion must clear before he can return to action.
Here are the five steps, per the NFL:
Symptom limited activity
Aerobic exercise
Football-specific exercise
Club-based non-contact training drills
Full football activity/clearance
NEW YORK GIANTS: Team announces Jameis Winston to start Week 11; Jaxson Dart in protocol
Texans QB depth chart -
C.J. Stroud (out – concussion)
Davis Mills
Graham Mertz
Mills will make a second start as Stroud remains in the league's concussion protocol for another week. The former third-round pick spent time as Houston's starter over the first two years of his career but was replaced by Stroud after the 2023 NFL Draft. Mills' Week 10 start was his first since 2022.
Mertz was a sixth-round pick in this year's NFL draft. He had only served as the team's emergency third quarterback before Week 10, when Stroud's injury pushed the rookie into the backup role behind Mills.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Is CJ Stroud playing today vs. Titans?
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