The Texans must again maneuver the playoff bubble without their franchise quarterback.
C.J. Stroud has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Bills, head coach DeMeco Ryans said Tuesday, marking the third consecutive game the signal-caller has missed due to a concussion.
While Stroud returned to practice in a limited capacity Tuesday, he's still healing up on a short week, meaning Davis Mills again gets the start under center.
Stroud helped Houston work out of an 0-3 start to the season, leading the team to three wins over its next four games, but he sustained a concussion early in a Week 9 loss to the Broncos. Mills entered and was unable to find much traction in a defensive affair, going 17 of 30 for 137 yards.
He has since fared better in two starts. In Week 10, Mills led a miraculous comeback in which he threw for two fourth-quarter touchdowns and ran in another to overcome a 29-10 deficit against the Jaguars entering the final frame. He then threw for 274 yards and a TD in a nail-biting 16-13 victory over the Titans on Sunday that required his second game-winning drive in as many starts.
Such heroics have propelled the Texans to 5-5 and the No. 8 seed in the AFC, just outside the playoffs.
The Texans will require more of the same from Mills if they're to take down the Bills (7-3) to keep the ever-dangerous Chiefs (5-5) and Ravens (5-5) at bay in the ninth and 10th seed, respectively.
From there, Stroud will hopefully be able to resume starting duties -- especially considering the mini bye ahead of an important Week 13 matchup with the AFC South-leading Colts.
