### C.J. Stroud's Concussion: A Setback for the Houston Texans Ahead of Week 10 The Houston Texans will face a significant challenge in their upcoming game against the Jacksonville Jaguars as starting quarterback C.J. Stroud has been ruled out due to a concussion sustained in the previous week's loss to the Denver Broncos. Stroud's absence marks a critical moment for the Texans, who are striving to keep their postseason hopes alive. Coach DeMeco Ryans confirmed that backup quarterback Davis Mills will take the helm in Stroud's place, making this a pivotal game for both the team and Mills, who has not started since the end of the 2022 season. ### Breakdown of the Situation 1. **Injury Details**: - C.J. Stroud suffered a concussion during the second quarter of the game against the Broncos when he was tackled and hit his head on the ground [https://apnews.com/article/cj-stroud-houston-texans-95b42c132ebc5c3b8e1bca73cd91dbaa]. - He is currently in concussion protocol and will not participate in the Week 10 matchup against the Jaguars [https://www.thescore.com/nfl/news/3388879/stroud-to-miss-game-vs-jaguars-with-concussion]. 2. **Impact on the Team**: - The Texans enter this game with a 3-5 record, while the Jaguars are at 5-3, making this a crucial game for the Texans' playoff aspirations [https://www.si.com/nfl/texans-announce-cj-stroud-week-10-availability-following-concussion-week-9]. - Davis Mills, who will start in Stroud's absence, has a career total of 35 passing touchdowns and 25 interceptions, and this will be his first start since Week 18 of the 2022 season [https://www.thescore.com/nfl/news/3388879/stroud-to-miss-game-vs-jaguars-with-concussion]. 3. **Coaching and Strategy**: - Coach DeMeco Ryans emphasized the need for a strong performance from Mills to maintain the team's competitive edge in the division [https://www.chron.com/sports/texans/article/cj-stroud-out-concussion-texans-jaguars-21141208.php]. - The Texans will also be missing other key players, as several were absent from practice due to injuries, further complicating their game plan [https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/texans/article/cj-stroud-concussion-status-jacksonville-21140294.php]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **C.J. Stroud's Performance**: - Stroud has completed **66.5%** of his passes this season, totaling **1,702 yards**, with **11 touchdowns** and **5 interceptions** [https://www.si.com/nfl/texans-announce-cj-stroud-week-10-availability-following-concussion-week-9]. - **Davis Mills' Background**: - Mills has not started a game since the end of the 2022 season, making this a significant opportunity for him to showcase his abilities [https://www.thescore.com/nfl/news/3388879/stroud-to-miss-game-vs-jaguars-with-concussion]. ### Conclusion: A Critical Moment for the Texans In summary, **C.J. Stroud's concussion presents a major hurdle for the Houston Texans as they prepare for a crucial Week 10 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars**. The team must rely on backup quarterback Davis Mills to step up in Stroud's absence, as they aim to improve their 3-5 record and keep their playoff hopes alive. The outcome of this game could significantly impact the Texans' season trajectory, especially with the division-leading Indianapolis Colts also in contention. 1. Stroud's injury is a setback for the Texans [https://apnews.com/article/cj-stroud-houston-texans-95b42c132ebc5c3b8e1bca73cd91dbaa]. 2. Davis Mills will start in his place, marking a critical moment for the team [https://www.thescore.com/nfl/news/3388879/stroud-to-miss-game-vs-jaguars-with-concussion]. 3. The Texans need a strong performance to maintain their playoff aspirations [https://www.chron.com/sports/texans/article/cj-stroud-out-concussion-texans-jaguars-21141208.php].