Texans On Short-Hand Game Play In Week 16 Due To Two 4-Star Players Ruled Out Of Season…
The Houston Texans will continue to be short-handed during their Week 16 contest against the Cleveland Browns Sunday afternoon at NRG Stadium.
After being hit by New York Jets defensive lineman Quinnen Williams on December 10, rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud is still in the concussion protocol, so the Texans will miss his second game.
But Stroud isn’t the only Texan who won’t be available when the Browns play. Defensive end Will Anderson Jr. and linebacker Blake Cashman, who suffered their injuries against the Jets, have been officially ruled out of the Texans lineup for the second straight week.
At MetLife Stadium, Anderson was carted off with an ankle injury, and Cashman left the game in the first quarter with a strained hamstring.
Although the results of Sunday’s game will have significant implications on the AFC postseason race, coach DeMeco Ryans isn’t worried about the number of players who will be absent against the Browns.
“The next man up approach — it’s really about seizing your opportunity,” Ryans stated. “If someone got hurt, I had a chance to show what I could do as a player by stepping up and taking that role. There is always a chance, so you need to be prepared to answer the phone when your number is called and demonstrate your worth.”
Nico Collins, a wide receiver, was hurt in the calf during the Jets game. After missing the Texans’ victory over the Tennessee Titans in Week 15, his status has been upgraded to questionable for their matchup with the Browns. Veterans Denzel Perryman (Achilles) and Maliek Collins (hip) are equally dubious.
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Texans’ C.J. Stroud progressing; Nico Collins likely to play…
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud has started to show improvement despite missing his second straight game due to a concussion, and there is hope that he might be ready to play against the Tennessee Titans at home the following week, a league source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Wide receiver Nico Collins of the Texans is expected to play against the Browns despite being listed as questionable for Sunday due to a calf injury, per a source.
Stroud suffered a concussion in the team’s 30-6 Week 14 loss to the New York Jets and remained in the protocol after missing Week 15 against the Titans.
When asked earlier this week whether Stroud’s injury could end his season, Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said, “No.”
After Stroud did not practice on Wednesday, quarterback Case Keenum started in the Texans’ 19-16 overtime victory over the Titans last week.
Collins practiced just three times this week. He is second on the team with six receiving touchdowns and leads in catches (60) and receiving yards (1,004).
The Browns (9-5) are ahead of the Texans (9-5) going into the first week of play in a crowded AFC wild-card playoff picture. They are currently ranked eighth in the AFC with an 8-6 record. In addition, they share first place in the AFC South with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Indianapolis Colts.