‘I feel great, I feel back to myself’ Texans QB1 C.J. Stroud cleared medically after concussion, playing Sunday

HOUSTON – In a reflective mood, Texans rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud is savoring the moment of being back on the practice field throwing footballs to his teammates.

The Texans rookie quarterback was medically cleared under the five-phase NFL concussion protocol, including clearance from an independent neurologist and passing a baseline neurological exam, and is now set to play in Sunday’s pivotal game against the Tennessee Titans.

This was the final step in Stroud’s recovery from a serious concussion after the back of his helmet bounced off the hard artificial turf at MetLife Stadium on an unpenalized late hit from New York Jets defensive tackle Quinnen Williams.

Stroud has recovered from symptoms that included a sensitivity to light and loud noises. Once they went away, he was able to return to football activities.

“It’s great being back, I missed it,” Stroud said Thursday at NRG Stadium. “I feel like everything that happened, I don’t want to say it happened for a reason, but it’s something that I guess God wanted me to go through. It was tough, it wasn’t easy.

“My teammates held it down the best that they could and I appreciate them for that. I feel great, I feel really good. I feel back to myself, which was the biggest thing.”

Stroud said he has experienced concussions before, but emphasized this was the most severe one he’s ever had. He said the infamous MetLife Stadium turf was like hitting his head on a sidewalk.

“Concussions are a little different,” Stroud said. " I’ve had concussions before, but this one was probably the worst one I’ve had just because I hit the back of my head, and I hit the ground really hard. That was what made it so bad. I damn near hit my head on cement kind of. It was cold, and the turf I guess isn’t the best I’ve learned. It is what it is, and I’m just happy to be back.”

• RELATED: Sources: C.J. Stroud dealing with concussion symptoms, set to miss Browns game, with Case Keenum to start again

Although the Texans went 1-1 in Stroud’s absence, the passing game took a step back. Especially during a 36-22 loss to the Cleveland Browns where Case Keenum was benched and replaced by Davis Mills. Keenum led the Texans to a 19-16 overtime win over the Titans.

Clearly, the Texans needed a healthy Stroud to galvanize their offense.

“He’s got an energy about him, he’s got an edge to him,” Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik said. “He’s a great competitor. He carries himself the right way, approaches every day, every practice, every game the right way.”

“A lot of guys really feed off who he is as a person. And when he’s in the huddle, the command he has, the confidence he has, the ability to go execute what we’re trying to execute when we’re out there. I think everybody can see and everybody knows, but it’s really the intangibles that I think makes C.J. so valuable to us and such a special kid.”

Stroud was back on the Texans’ practice field Wednesday and Thursday after being medically cleared to participate under Stage 4 of the five-phase mandatory NFL concussion protocol. He practiced on a limited basis. Now, Stroud will start in Sunday’s pivotal home game against the Titans after missing the past two games with the brain injury.

A two-time Heisman Trophy winner and second overall pick from Ohio State, Stroud has passed for 3,361 yards, 20 touchdowns and only five interceptions despite missing two games. Stroud is regarded as the leader for the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award ahead of Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua. He’s also a strong Pro Bowl candidate.

“Encouraging to have C.J. back out at practice today,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said Wednesday. “It was encouraging to see him. I think it just lifts everybody’s spirits to see him back doing well and still progressing in the right direction. So, happy about that.”

Stroud returned to team meetings last Friday and attended practice. He was replaced by Keenum for the past two games, including the road win over the Titans and home loss to the Browns last Sunday.

His presence provided a boost to the Texans at practice this week.

“It’s great, man,” Texans right guard Shaq Mason said “We definitely missed him. It’s definitely a pleasure to have him out there and see him out there practicing. He’s a dynamic player. Just the type of intensity he brings to the game, his study habits, he just has a great feel for the game at such a young age. It’s definitely a value to have him on the field.

“Absolutely, it’s good to have our guy back. Unfortunately he missed the past two games, but Case and Davis stepped in and did a good job. We’re definitely happy to have No. 7 back. It’s a great feeling. That’s our guy that has played a lot of good ball for us. Just him commanding the huddle, he’s a natural leader. He has those qualities to get guys to follow him. He has those tools to lead the team.”

Having Stroud back gives a lift to an 8-7 team that remains in the thick of the AFC playoff hunt.

“It means a lot, it means a lot to this offense, to this team to have your boy back out there, to see him getting his groove back,” wide receiver Nico Collins said. “We’ve got to pick up where we left off. He’s looking good, didn’t skip a beat. C.J.’s a baller, man.

“Taking his time with it, make sure he’s good. We need him. We miss him. Nobody wants to miss playing time with your brothers, but he knows what’s at stake right now. Health is everything. It doesn’t take long to get his groove back.”

No, there was no dramatic slow clap welcoming Stroud back to practice. He was just treated the same as normal.

“It was huge just to have No. 7′s presence out there,” rookie wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson said. “We missed him for two weeks. Just to see him back out there fully healthy, it was huge. Everyone’s excited and I know he’s excited. Can’t wait to see what he does back this Sunday. It’s a regular day, but you observe things and there’s a sense of confidence.”

One of the biggest priorities for the Texans in orchestrating Stroud’s return is making sure he doesn’t suffer another concussion.

That means protecting him as well as possible.

“You’re just looking for efficiency, being able to command the huddle, being efficient with the plays we’re asking him to run,” Ryans said. “You’re looking for him to be comfortable in the moment. The main thing is you want to keep the defenders off of him as much as possible so we don’t have another hit or anything to make him go backwards. We have to make sure we’re protecting him, make sure we’re playing efficient and make sure we’re pressing forward moving the football.”

Even before Wednesday, teammates expressed confidence and hope Sunday about his potential return.

And sources indicated last weekend that Stroud’s return was impending, nothing how much progress he had made in his recovery.

“Good vibes, man, you don’t want to have nobody out,” Collins said Sunday. “Glad to see him back in the building. Health is everything, so make sure he get his groove back. Looking forward to next week.

“QB1 right now, that’s the reason that we drafted him. That’s the reason he’s had so much impact for this team. It’s going to be exciting to have my dog back out there, man.”

When he was sidelined, Stroud was at the Texans’ training facility for a daily concussion test under the neurological baseline exam requirements and interacted with teammates.

The time off may help his overall healthy.

“Yeah, it was good for me to kind of catch up and let my shoulder rest a little bit and other little nicks and pains that I had,” Stroud said. “So, it definitely helped.”

During his time away from the game, Stroud leaned heavily on his mother, Kimberly, and other family members, friends, his agent, David Mulugheta, and his marketing agent, Bryan Burney.

“I really felt love while I was out by people just reaching out and making sure I was alright,” Stroud said. “I appreciated that a lot. I know that it looks scary and the whole situation was weird, but I appreciate people actually caring. The people who support me every day, I appreciate them a lot.”

Meanwhile, rookie defensive end Will Anderson Jr. (high ankle sprain), defensive tackle Maliek Collins (hip) and defensive end Jonathan Greenard (ankle sprain) didn’t practice again. Defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins hasn’t been practicing due to an ankle injury.

Returning to practice: safety Adrian Amos (non-injury related, personal), offensive guard Shaq Mason (calf), offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil (knee, rest).

Watching practice and not participating during the portion open to reporters: cornerback Steven Nelson (foot, hamstring, hand).

“Will has made some strides,” Ryans said. “He’s moving in the right direction. He’s out working out. We’ll see what he can tolerate. We’re very hopeful to get Will back. He’s been a big part of what we’ve done on defense. It would be great to have him back.”

Linebacker Blake Cashman, who’s been running full-speed for roughly a week, returned to practice from a strained hamstring that kept him out the past two games. He was limited along with wide receiver Noah Brown (knee contusion), wide receiver Nico Collins (calf), linebacker Denzel Perryman (ankle) and wide receiver Robert Woods (rest).

Woods is practicing Thursday in full pads.

With Stroud back, the Texans have renewed hope about making the playoffs. Win the final two games against the Titans and the Indianapolis Colts, and they’re in for sure.

“For us, it’s a great opportunity for us,” Ryans said. “We’re playing against the Titans, really good opponent and it’s an important game for us because it’s the next game. We know how important it is and for us, we didn’t have a great outing last week, and the main thing for us is coming out and playing better.

“We want to play better in front of our home fans and would love to have their continued support. They’ve been great all year for us, been loud for us and we need that again going into our last home game here. We need our fans loud and we need them rowdy to just create that true home-field advantage that we always ask for.”

It’s a critical time for the Texans to get Stroud back as they’re in the thick of the ultra-crowded AFC playoff race. There are scenarios where they could even win the AFC South division.

“We got to appreciate the work that we put in, but, at the same time, just get one at a time and keep building for hopefully making the playoffs,” Stroud said. “That’s definitely the goal, and just go from there. We got to start with Tennessee, which is a really hard challenge.”

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