Sources: Texans rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud out for Browns game, not practicing, Case Keenum to start Sunday

HOUSTON – Texans rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud remains out with a concussion as he continues to deal with common concussion symptoms, including a sensitivity to light, and veteran Case Keenum is set to start against the Cleveland Browns for his second consecutive game with the first-team offense, according to league sources.

Stroud was not medically cleared and didn’t practice Wednesday.

“He’s doing better, improving,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “He’s still in protocol.”

• RELATED: Sources: C.J. Stroud dealing with concussion symptoms, set to miss Browns game, with Case Keenum to start agaiRyans was asked if Stroud could potentially not return this season.

“Oh, why do you say that? Don’t shock me like that,’ Ryans said with a laugh. “Wow. No, we’re going through the protocol. Each person, each concussion is different. Each person, it takes a different amount of time for each person to heal, just like with anything else.

:He’s just going through the protocol just like everyone else has throughout – whenever they’ve been in the concussion protocol. At the end of the day, the most important thing is making sure that C.J. is healthy. When he’s ready to go, he’ll be ready to go. I’ll let you guys know.”

Keenum, 35, led the Texans to a 19-16 overtime win over the Tennessee Titans. He threw a touchdown and passed for 239 yards with one interception returned

“The thing that’s helped Case the most I think is experience,” Ryans said. “When you’ve played the position for such a long time, you have to have that experience. But it’s also that experience that gives you confidence. When you’ve done it multiple times, you’ve seen multiple defenses and how teams try to attack you, nothing should shock Case.

“He’s seen a little bit of everything. He’s calm, he does a great job of operating presnap. Does a great job of commanding the huddle and making the other guys around him better.”

Former New York Jets quarterback Tim Boyle was officially signed to the practice squad one day after the Texans put in an unsuccessful waiver claim for quarterback Nathan Rourke, who was awarded to the New England Patriots off waivers, per sources.

Boyle is a former undrafted free agent from Eastern Kentucky who has also played for the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears.

He played in three games and two starts this year for the Jets, completing 62.3 percent of his throws for 360 yards, one touchdown and four interceptions.

Who do you think should start for the Texans at QB on Sunday against the Browns? Drop your answer in the poll below.

In other injury news, wide receiver Nico Collins, who leads the Texans with 60 receptions for 1,004 yards and six touchdowns, was limited in practice Wednesday due to a strained calf that prevented him from playing against the Titans. He got injured against the New York Jets. Collins is trending in a positive direction and has a legitimate shot at playing Sunday, per sources.

Also not practicing -- safety Jimmie Ward (concussion), defensive end Will Anderson Jr. (high-ankle sprain), linebacker Blake Cashman (hamstring strain), offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil (knee, rest), wide receivers John Metchie III (illness) and offensive guard Shaq Mason (calf, rest), tight end Brevin Jordan (illness).

Tunsil and Mason were present at practice. Wide receivers Robert Woods (rest) and Noah Brown (knee contusion) were limited with neither player participating during the portion open to reporters.

Right tackle George Fant (hip) returned to practice after missing one game, participating fully.

Cornerback Steven Nelson (hand) participated fully. He was added to the injury report as questionable last week, but started and had an interception against Tennessee.

Here’s how the Texans’ shorthanded offensive line looked from left to right Wednesday: Josh Jones, Juice Scruggs, Michael Deiter, Deiter Eiselen and Charlie Heck.

Defensive tackle Maliek Collins (hip) was limited along with linebacker Denzel Perryman (Achilles).

Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com