Will C.J. Stroud Return for Texans vs. Bills? Latest Updates on QB's Injury Recovery

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud will miss his third consecutive game in Week 12.

Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans told reporters Tuesday that Stroud will not play in Thursday night's home matchup against the Buffalo Bills because there isn't enough time for him to clear concussion protocol.

Stroud is expected to play against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 13, per ESPN's DJ Bien-Aime (h/t ESPN's Jeremy Fowler).

Stroud suffered a concussion during the team's Week 9 loss to the Denver Broncos and was then ruled out for the Week 10 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars and Week 11 game against the Tennessee Titans.

He did not practice leading up to either of those games.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on Nov. 15 that it "remains uncertain" whether Stroud would be available for the Nov. 20 game against the Bills either since it was scheduled for a Thursday on a short week.

While Stroud played all 17 games during the 2024 campaign, he missed two games as a rookie in 2023 because he was in concussion protocol.

That did not stop the Ohio State product from taking home the Offensive Rookie of the Year and leading the Texans to the playoffs during his impressive first season in the league. Houston also made the playoffs last season.

Stroud has completed 66.5 percent of his passes for 1,702 yards, 11 touchdowns and five interceptions during the 2025 campaign.

Houston will rely on Davis Mills under center against Buffalo. The veteran led the team to a comeback victory over the Jaguars and another win in Week 11 against the Titans. He has plenty of experience for the Texans since he started a combined 26 games in 2021 and 2022.