Another week, another Davis Mills start.
Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans officially ruled out quarterback C.J. Stroud for Thursday’s contest against the Buffalo Bills. The Texans will turn to Mills for a third straight start, hoping to see him move to 3-0 on the year as QB1.
The Texans also ruled out safety Jalen Pitre, who returned to practice on Monday from the concussion protocol.
“Both guys are progressing, they’re doing better,” Ryans said. “But right now, with the short-turnaround game on Thursday, just don’t have enough days for those guys to be available.”
According to ESPN’s D.J. Bien-Aime, Stroud is expected to be available to play against the Indianapolis Colts (8-2) on the road in Week 13. He returned to practice on a limited basis on Tuesday and is expected to practice on Wednesday during the team’s walkthrough.
What does this mean? Well, given that Stroud must practice two straight days without concussion-like symptoms, he can be cleared and fully good to go when the team returns from a mini-bye week next week, before traveling to Lucas Oil Stadium.
After starting the season at 0-3, the Texans are back at .500 and squarely in the AFC playoff race for at least a wild card bid. Houston (5-5) is currently the No. 8 seed, trailing the Jaguars (6-4) for the No. 7 wild-card spot in the AFC. With a win, the Texans would still need the Jaguars to lose to gain ground and clinch the No. 7 spot entering next week’s matchup against the Colts.
With Mills at the helm, the Texans are averaging 22.5 points per game in wins. Mills, a former third-round pick and longtime backup, has thrown for 726 yards, three touchdowns and one interception in three appearances since Stroud’s departure in Week 9 against the Denver Broncos.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7:20 p.m. on Amazon Prime.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans officially end hopes of C.J. Stroud playing vs. Bills on Thursday Night Football
Reporting by Cole Thompson, Texans Wire / Texans Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
