Texans injury issues continue with C.J. Stroud entering concussion protocol…
The Houston Texans faced a challenging Sunday, suffering a 30-6 defeat against the New York Jets and grappling with significant offensive setbacks. Quarterback C.J. Stroud, the starting signal-caller, left the game in the fourth quarter after a head injury, promptly entering concussion protocol. This injury compounded an already challenging situation for the Texans, who were playing without rookie wide receiver Tank Dell and lost key players like wide receiver Nico Collins and tight end Dalton Schultz during the same game. Notably, these three players constitute the top three receiving options for the Texans this season.
The offensive struggles were evident as the Texans, lacking their primary receiving threats, managed only one touchdown, a result of a short field following a fumble recovery. The team could muster just 135 total yards on 52 plays, highlighting the impact of missing key offensive contributors against a formidable NFL defense.
While offensive struggles were somewhat anticipated given the absent players and the defensive prowess of the Jets, the more pressing concern in the short term is the uncharacteristic performance of the Texans’ defense. Despite surpassing expectations throughout the season, the defense conceded 30 points to the Jets, allowing quarterback Zach Wilson to throw for 268 yards and two touchdowns.
The defeat pushed the Texans (7-6) out of a playoff spot in the AFC, leaving them one game behind the division-leading Jacksonville. With four remaining games, including matchups against AFC South rival Tennessee, Cleveland, and the Indianapolis Colts, the Texans’ playoff prospects hinge significantly on the health of their offense. The upcoming contests against the Browns and Colts, both playoff contenders, may well determine Houston’s postseason fate, underscoring the importance of a fully functional and injury-free offensive unit.
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