Although the team motivations are completely different, both the host Houston Texans and Tennessee Titans are hopeful that their respective rookie quarterbacks will return from injury on Sunday.
Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud was a limited participant in practice on Wednesday, a step in a positive direction after he missed the previous two games with a concussion suffered in Week 14 against the New York Jets. Stroud led the league in passing with 3,631 yards before being sidelined, and his 98.7 passer rating was fifth in the NFL while his 279.3 passing yards per game ranked third.
Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said Stroud is in the fourth phase of the league’s concussion protocol and needs to clear one more hurdle before he can return to the field as the Texans prepare to host the Titans.
“It’s encouraging to have C.J. back out at practice,” Ryans said. “It was encouraging to see him. I think it just lifts everybody’s spirits to see him back doing well and still progressing in the right direction. So, happy about that.”
The Texans (8-7) are in a three-way tie with Jacksonville and Indianapolis atop the AFC South yet are currently eighth in conference seeding, on the outside looking in at the postseason picture. However, should Houston defeat the Titans and Colts over its final two games, it will secure its first playoff berth since the 2019 campaign.
The Titans have been eliminated from postseason contention, but they are anxious to get additional looks at Will Levis, who is 3-5 as a starter and was lost to an ankle injury in a 19-16 overtime loss to the Texans two weeks ago. Levis, who did not play last week in a setback against the Seattle Seahawks, has passed for 1,792 yards and eight touchdowns against four interceptions in his eight starts.
“We’ll see how this week goes, and I’m taking it day-by-day. I’m continuing to just prepare as if I was playing,” said Levis, who was a full participant in practice on Wednesday. “Keeping the same mindset regardless of the situation. … I’m continuing to work with the (trainers) to get me ready as soon as possible.”
Levis expressed an understandable level of anxiousness to get back on the field. While his rookie season is capped at two more starts at best, the momentum he generated as a starter offered a measure of promise for a franchise seeking a new direction this coming offseason.
“I just want to play ball,” Levis said. “I just want to go out there and win games and leave this season with a good taste in our mouth. We’ve had some tough losses. … There’s an opportunity to put a new version of us on tape against that same (Texans) defense, (and that’s) going to be exciting.”
Everyone practiced for the Titans on Wednesday, although 12 players were limited, including cornerbacks Sean Murphy-Bunting (hip) and Caleb Farley (back).
Defensive tackles Sheldon Rankins (ankle) and Maliek Collins (hip) and guard Shaq Mason (calf) were among those who didn’t practice for Houston on Wednesday.
–Field Level Media
