Texans' C.J. Stroud still in protocol, Case Keenum to start

Texans’ C.J. Stroud still in protocol, Case Keenum to start،

DJ Bien-Aimé, ESPNDecember 16, 2023, 9:29 p.m.
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HOUSTON – The Houston Texans have ruled out rookie quarterback CJ Stroud for Week 15 against the Tennessee Titans because Stroud is still in the concussion protocol.

Case Keenum, 35, will start in Stroud's place. Throughout the week, Keenum and Davis Mills have gone their separate ways, but trainer DeMeco Ryans will roll with the 11-year veteran against Mills.

The last time Keenum started a game was in 2021, when he replaced Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield for two games. Keenum threw three touchdowns with one interception and the Browns were 2-0 in those matchups.

Keenum was not active in any games this season, as he played the role of emergency quarterback. Mills replaced Stroud every time the rookie left the game this season for a few snaps, and Mills finished the game against the Jets.

Stroud didn't practice all week, indicating the 2023 No. 2 pick hasn't cleared the five sentences of protocol required to play against the Titans.

On Friday, Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said Stroud was “feeling better,” but Stroud had not recovered enough to play this weekend.

This will be the first game Stroud has missed in his career.

Stroud suffered a concussion when New York Jets defensive tackle Quinnen Williams delivered a hard hit in the fourth quarter of Sunday's 30-6 loss that knocked him out of the game in Week 14.