Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud, nickel Jalen Pitre officially ruled out for Bills game, still in NFL concussion protocol

HOUSTON – Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud and nickel Jalen Pitre were officially ruled out for a Thursday night game against the Buffalo Bills.

Because both players remain under the NFL concussion protocol, there wasn’t enough time on a short week for them to be medically cleared. Both are trending toward being ready for a road game next week against the Indianapolis Colts.

Davis Mills will be QB1 against the Bills as he tries to go 3-0 as the starter in place of Stroud.

“C.J. and Jalen will be out,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “Both guys are progressing, they’re doing better. But, right now with the short turnaround game on Thursday, we just don’t have enough days for those guys to be available.”

Stroud went third in throws after Mills and Graham Mertz at practice, this is a positive step toward him returning to play next week against the Indianapolis Colts.

Stroud didn’t participate in a walkthrough Monday, but Pitre returned to practice and remains under the NFL concussion protocol.

Although Stroud is feeling better with symptoms of sensitivity to light and headaches subsiding, per sources, the timing of the game and the requirement of practicing twice with no symptoms and being cleared by an independent neurologist had a negative impact on his availability. Pitre has dealt with headaches previously, per sources.

This will be the third game in a row Stroud has been sidelined after suffering a concussion against the Denver Broncos on a legal shoulder hit from cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine while sliding. Just like his concussion as a rookie against the New York Jets on a hit from Quinnen Williams, Stroud was sent flying backwards with the back of his helmet crashing into the ground.

Pitre has dealt with headaches, per sources.

Both should return next week on a full-scale basis.

“It’s really encouraging to see both guys out, being able to practice and go through those things,” Ryans said. “It is encouraging to see that they are making those steps to get themselves back healthy.”

A former NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and Pro Bowl selection, Stroud has been back in the Texans’ building for treatment and meetings since last week. He is making steady progress.

“Speedy recovery, my guy, 7,” Texans Pro Bowl wide receiver Nico Collins said Sunday after a 16-13 win over the Tennessee Titans. “You don’t want nobody missing games, especially with your brain. You only get one so, you got to take care of that. We miss him, for sure, but the health is important.”

Meanwhile, Texans kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn is back from a right quadriceps injury. Fairbairn participated fully Monday and Tuesday.

Right guard Ed Ingram was a full participant after missing the past two games with a sprained knee and is trending toward making his return Thursday night, barring any setbacks.

Even with Ingram healthy, it’s expected that Tytus Howard will play right guard again and Trent Brown will play right tackle.

The following players participated fully: Fairbairn, Ingram, Mills (left elbow), Collins (ankle), Myles Bryant (ankle), Braxton Berrios (quadriceps), Jake Hansen (elbow) and Cade Stover (foot).

Several players were limited: Azeez Al-Shaair (knee, illness), Pitre, Collins (ankle), Anderson Jr. (ankle), Howard (ankle, knee), Trent Brown (hand, knee), Schultz (shoulder) and Denico Autry (limited).

Most of the injuries are relatively minor and they wouldn’t be listed during a normal week. The short week is having an increased effect on the injury report listing.

Texans Pro Bowl defensive end Danielle Hunter was evaluated for a potential concussion, but was cleared medically.

“Danielle is fine,” Ryans said.

Schultz has been playing through the lingering shoulder injury.

“Dalton continues to play really great football for us,” Ryans said. “Dalton shows up in critical moments, making plays, and he’s fighting through, as everybody is at this time, fighting through injuries and things of that nature, but he continues to scrap, he continues to battle.

“It’s important to him to go out and play his best for his teammates and he shows that. He puts it on the line every single week, and I’m proud of the toughness and grit that he’s showing.”

Mills is 2-0 as the starter in place of Stroud. The backup has passed for three touchdown passes and one interception and ran for a game-winning touchdown.

A former third-round draft pick from Stanford who was the Texans’ starting quarterback until the Texans drafted Stroud second overall out of Ohio State in 2023 when he was named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, Mills improved to 7-19-1 as a starter.

This marks his final game as the starter before Stroud returns.

“It’s been great seeing how he’s progressed and he’s getting back to healthy, he’s super close,” Mills said. “Obviously, your mind and your brain is the most important thing. We’re people before we’re football players. So, it’s been great seeing him progress and get back to himself and I’m excited to see him once he’s fully back.”

Now, the Texans (5-5) have reached the .500 mark for the first time this season after consecutive wins over the Jacksonville Jaguars and Tennessee Titans. They’re in the mix in the AFC wild-card playoff race, currently ranking eighth in the playoff standings with seven games remaining in the regular season.

Mills engineered the first two one-score wins of the season over the past two weeks. Previously, the Texans were 0-5 in those situations.

“I think the main goal of each week, and what it has been, is going out there and playing efficient football, executing at a really high level and trying to find a way to win the game,” Mills said. “We’ve been successful at that the past two weeks and we’re trying to keep it rolling in this third week.”

Without Mills and his cool demeanor, perhaps the Texans don’t win those games.

His calm matters.

“Yeah, for sure, 1,000 percent man,” Collins said. “Every time Mills steps in the huddle, it’s always calm, next play, everybody slow down, breathe, one play at a time, man. His calmness really just calms everyone down and that’s how you execute."

Mills, a former third-round draft pick from Stanford who started before Stroud was drafted second overall in 2023, has completed 60 percent of his throws for 726 yards, three touchdowns and one interception for an 82.2 passer rating. He scrambled for the game-winning touchdown against the Jaguars to ice the game.

“He’s always cool, calm, collected,” Howard said. He’s very poised. He’s somebody he’s always been since I’ve known him for the past five years. I’m with him very day, we’re locker mates, so I know him pretty well. He’s a great guy."

Mills has built a good relationship with offensive coordinator Nick Caley, who has been impressed with his work ethic.

“I think he’s been really, really consistent,” Caley said. “He has been the same guy, again, since I got here. Poised, works hard. He’s studying around the clock, good dialogue back and forth. He’s really into it. Has great command, ownership, all those things. I’ve been really pleased with him.”

Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KRPC 2 and click2houston.com