Like the rest of his team Stroud struggled to start the year but has turned it around. The 24-year-old signal-caller has thrown for 1,623 yards so far with 11 touchdowns to only five interceptions. The Texans’ offense remains very much a work in progress, yet Stroud’s play of late has helped the unit make serious progress.

The Houston Texans hosted the Denver Broncos on Sunday at NRG Stadium looking for their fourth win of the 2025 NFL season. That mission got more difficult when star quarterback C.J. Stroud was forced to leave the game in the first half with Houston leading 3-0. Stroud was replaced by Texans backup QB Davis Mills.

Stroud was diagnosed with a concussion after a slide when a hit by Broncos cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine slammed the quarterback’s head into the ground. Officials threw a flag for unnecessary roughness. Replay reversed the on-field decision, deciding that the slide was late and that Abrams-Draine didn’t make contact with Stroud’s head.

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud rips pass to tight end Dalton Schultz for a 47-yard catch and run into the red zone.

The Sunday afternoon slate for Week 9 is headlined by two big AFC matchups with playoff implications. In the early afternoon window, it's two first-place teams facing off when the Indianapolis Colts (7-1) head to Pittsburgh (4-3) for a showdown with the Steelers.

Dec 3, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) attempts to escape the grasp of Denver Broncos linebacker Alex Singleton (49) during the fourth quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images / Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Texans QB C.J. Stroud discusses a tough upcoming matchup against Denver, how the team can build off a win over the 49ers, his willingness to run the football and more in the latest episode of