(SportsRadio 610) - Texans rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud is officially listed as doubtful ahead of Sunday's game against the Tennessee Titans.
Stroud will be replaced by veteran backup Case Keenum, KPRC reported late Friday.
Head coach DeMeco Ryans neglected to officially rule Stroud out, but the fact that Stroud has not yet even set foot on a practice field doesn't bode well for his availability in Sunday's pivotal game.
"For me, it's all about the health of C.J.," Ryans said. "So, we'll never put a guy out there who's not ready to go, and so it's all about the health of our players. That's always the first thing for me."
If Stroud hasn't completed all of the five phases of the NFL's mandatory protocol, which he hasn't, nor practiced with the team even once this week, then he's not ready and it wouldn't be wise to play him.
Meanwhile, as they prepare both backup quarterbacks Davis Mills and Case Keenum ahead of Sunday and Ryans neglecting to officially name a starter to this point, the first year head coach said the way they've had to attack this week hasn't been much different than what they've been doing all season.
"Both guys have prepared this whole week just like every position," Ryans said. "Everybody is prepared. We need everybody. And whenever your number is called, just expect everybody to step up and play their best. We're going to go at this thing as a team, and that's how we'll approach it."
The Texans are likely going to be without a number of other key contributors this weekend, including receiver Nico Collins, who's missed practice all week with a calf injury and is listed as questionable along with receiver Noah Brown (knee), right tackle George Fant (hip), right guard Shaq Mason (calf) and rookie linebacker Henry To'oTo'o (hammy).
Rookie edge rusher Will Anderson (ankle) has officially been ruled out for Sunday along with middle linebacker Blake Cashman (hammy) and nickel corner Tavierre Thomas (hamstring).
A number of players are going to be asked to step up in a big way on Sunday, as the Texans (7-6) continue keep their playoff hopes alive. They're one of five other 7-6 teams within the AFC that are fighting for a playoff spot.
Veteran tight end Dalton Schultz is set to return after missing the previous two games with a hamstring injury. He's the third-leading receiver on the team with 455 yards and five touchdowns this season. With Nico Collins hobbled and questionable heading in to Sunday, he'll likely be a top target Sunday afternoon.
Backup tight end Brevin Jordan has shown he's capable of getting open and creating chunk plays for the Texans, is averaging 16 yards per reception over his last two games, hauling in six of his eight targets for 99 yards.
Robert Woods, who has seen his role diminished in recent weeks, is the Texans most accomplished pass catcher. He should be a big part of the game plan and needs to have one of his best games against the Titans.
Noah Brown, who had two monster games this season in back-to-back victories over the Buccaneers and Bengals, has been hobbled, limited and hasn't been effective the last two games since returning from a knee injury. He has to find a way to create space and give Mills and/or Keenum a target to get the ball to quickly.
Xavier Hutchinson and John Metchie will likely factor more into the game plan this weekend, more than they have all season. However, the lack of separation they've been able to create in the pass game is concerning. It's going to be vital for offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik to find ways for his quarterback to get them the ball quickly to create after the catch.
Hutchinson showed ability to create the big play last weekend in the Texans 30-6 loss to the Jets, catching a 32-yard pass from Stroud. However, he was flagged for offensive pass interference in the process. While a bit of a ticky-tack call, it negated the play and stifled a drive.
If the Texans had any semblance of a run game they could rely on, it would at least somewhat quell the level of concern about the potential for another anemic offensive performance, but they don't.
Despite rushing for 64 yards on 11 carries in the first half against the Jets last weekend, Devin Singletary and the Texans were forced to rely on the pass game to convert on third downs, as they faced multiple third-and-long situations that prevented them from going back to the well with Singletary or Dameon Pierce.
Slowik has got to find a way to get his offense in more manageable third down situations to stick with the run more, if it's working.
With right tackle George Fant listed as questionable heading into Sunday, it's likely that Charlie Heck, who spent much of the season on the PUP list, gets the start.
Heck hasn't started a game on the offensive line since week 16 of the 2022 season, which coincidentally, was on the road in Tennessee. He's played in just five snaps all season long since returning from a foot and back injury and they've all been on special teams.
The likelihood of the Texans trotting out their seventh different version of an offensive line Sunday is real.
They'll be charged with protecting a quarterback, whoever that might be, against the reigning AFC Defensive Player of the Week in Titans defense end Harold Landry, who tallied three sacks in the Titans Monday night comeback victory over the Dolphins.
