Texans controlled defender C.J. Stroud advances to Houston vs. Jacksonville in Week 10 Jaguars. Stroud is still in the league's concussion protocol for last week's loss to Denver. Broncos.
Without Stroud, Davis Mills makes his first start since the 2022 season. A sixth-round pick in the 2021 draft, Mills has made 25 starts in his first two seasons with the Texans. He played in the previous two games this year, replacing Stroud.
Stroud left last week's game early in the second quarter after his head hit the turf as a result of an impact he suffered while sliding. He immediately left the game and was ruled out for the remainder of the contest in the third quarter.
It has been a difficult season for Stroud and the Texans. After winning back-to-back AFC South titles and subsequent playoff appearances, Houston is currently 3-5 and trailing the pack. Colts and the Jaguars in the division standings. Houston, in particular, struggled in the red zone on both sides of the ball. The Texans' offense is also second to last in the standings. NFL in third place.
Stroud is only 19th in the standings. NFL in passing touchdowns, but he's completing a career-high 66.5% of his passes. He also threw just five interceptions after throwing a career-high 12 picks in 2024.
On Sunday, the Texans will face a Jaguars team that has been steadily improving under first-year coach Liam Cohen. However, pass defense is not the Jaguars' strength, as they are 27th in the league in passing yards allowed and 29th in touchdown passes allowed. They rank second in the NFL with 11 interceptions through eight games.
