Houston Texans quarterback Davis Mills practiced for the second straight day, which bodes well for his availability against the Tennessee Titans in Week 11, especially with C.J. Stroud officially ruled out for the contest.
The good news does not stop there for Mills, though.
For Stroud, this seemed like the most likely outcome following the Texans’ first injury report of the week and reports about the 2023 Pro Bowler.
Texans QB Davis Mills Gets Good News Before 2nd Start
GettyDavis Mills #10 of the Houston Texans looks to throw a pass against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Mills opened the week positioned to assume QB1 duties in Week 11. Despite showing up on the injury report with an elbow issue, he practiced in full. However, there were concerns about some of his starting offensive linemen.
That was laid aside on Thursday as both right guard Ed Ingram (knee) and right tackle Tytus Howard (concussion) returned to practice.
That is great news for Mills, particularly with Howard, who has played at a high level.
Mills threw for 292 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception on 60% completion against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 10. He did that without either Howard or Ingram. Now, he faces a downtrodden Titans team in Week 11 with his starting offensive line intact.
The Texans’ offensive line was heavily scrutinized coming into the season, but they rank fifth with the third-best pressure rate allowed, per Pro Football Reference.
For Mills, playing within himself is a bigger concern than what his rebuilt OL might do.
“Davis did a great job with his operation, not only in the game, but it showed all throughout the week. So he handled himself really well,” Ryans told reporters on November 10. “Hats off to Davis for being clutch for us when we needed it most.”
Stroud’s next opportunity to suit up is in Week 12 when the Texans face the Buffalo Bills.
DeMeco Ryans Gets Honest as Texans Rule Out 2 Players With Concussions
GettyC.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans exits the field after facing the Seattle Seahawks.
After Stroud missed the first practice of the week, initial reports asserted he was not expected to be available in Week 11. Stroud has had one documented concussion in the NFL before this one, which happened in Week 9 against the Denver Broncos.
He missed two games that time, too.
Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans also ruled out safety Jalen Pitre, who also suffered a concussion in Week 9 against the Broncos and sat out in Week 10.
“When it comes to the concussion protocol, every guy is different,” Ryans told reporters after practice on November 13. “So, it’s a day-to-day process. So, I’m not looking to next week and trying to predict what that looks like. I’m looking at the day-to-day process to see where guys are.”
The Texans also ruled out kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn for the second straight week. They will turn to veteran journeyman Matthew Wright in Fairbairn’s place against the Titans, just as they did in Week 10 against the Jaguars.
The Texans are third in the AFC South entering Week 11, but they can gain ground on the Jaguars with a win over the Titans and a Jacksonville loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Texans, and perhaps Stroud, face the Indianapolis Colts on the other side of the Bills game.
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