Is C.J. Stroud in danger of missing this week’s Houston Texans game? Stroud made his NFL debut in a losing effort against the Baltimore Ravens last week, but he popped up on Houston’s Friday injury report.
What kind of injury is Stroud dealing with, and what’s the No. 2 overall pick’s status for Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts?
C.J. Stroud Injury Update
Stroud is listed as questionable for Week 2 with a right shoulder injury. He wasn’t listed on Houston’s injury report earlier this week, suggesting he suffered the injury during Friday’s practice.
If Stroud can’t suit up against the Colts, Davis Mills would likely start in his place. The Texans also have Case Keenum on their quarterback depth chart, but Mills made 26 starts for Houston over the past two seasons.
Making his first NFL start last week, Stroud completed 28 of 44 attempts for 242 scoreless yards. He didn’t commit any turnovers, but he did take five sacks in Houston’s 25-9 loss to Baltimore.
Whoever starts for the Texans will be playing behind a makeshift offensive line. Houston plans to start second or even third-stringers at left guard, center, and right tackle, while left tackle Laremy Tunsil (knee) is limited.
Meanwhile, safeties Jalen Pitre (chest) and Jimmie Ward (hip) have already been ruled out, and linebacker Neville Hewitt (illness) is questionable.
Fantasy Impact of Stroud’s Injury
Finding room to run in this Texans offense was going to be a weekly struggle as it was, and Stroud’s injury only figures to make the sledding even more challenging. It took Dameon Pierce 11 carries to get to 38 yards on the ground, and Mills standing under center probably won’t back the Colts off the line of scrimmage.
MORE: Tracking Every NFL Injury Ahead of Week 2
Pierce is a volume-based Flex play that carries little ceiling potential. Nico Collins and Robert Woods saw 10+ targets last week in Baltimore, but with this game script projected to go differently, neither is worthy of a look.
— PFN Fantasy Analyst Kyle Soppe