HOUSTON – Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud has been cleared to play in Sunday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts after missing three straight games due to a concussion.
It was also announced safety Jalen Pitre has also cleared concussion protocol after being injured in the Nov. 2 game against the Broncos.
Stroud and Pitre return to the field
What they’re saying:
Head coach DeMeco Ryan announced Stroud and Pitre’s return in a press conference on Friday.
“We got to go out and play efficiently with our offense really. No matter who’s our quarterback. C.J. will be out there, but we just got to go out and all guys play together, all 11.”
HOUSTON, TX – NOVEMBER 20: Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7), who did not play due to a concussion, greets players after the NFL game between the Buffalo Bills and Houston Texans on November 20, 2025 at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. (Photo
Stroud also spoke at the conference and said this in part:
“I’m excited to be back, blessed. Super grateful to be able to be healthy again and have some peace knowing that my body and my brain and my thoughts feel pure and clean. So, it’s a blessing. I took it one day at a time.”I’m excited to be back, blessed. Super grateful to be able to be healthy again and have some peace knowing that my body and my brain and my thoughts feel pure and clean. So, it’s a blessing. I took it one day at a time.”
C.J. Stroud suffered concussion
The backstory:
Stroud was injured early in the second quarter of the Broncos game. He scrambled for 6 yards and was hit on the shoulder by Kris Abrams-Draine near the end of his slide, and the back of his head violently bounced off the ground.
The concussion to Stroud is his second since entering the NFL in 2023. His first came in December 2023 in a game against the Jets.
The Source: Information was provided by the Houston Texans.