by The Houston Texans are once again forced to adjust under center as star quarterback C.J. Stroud remains in the NFL’s concussion protocol and has officially been ruled out for the upcoming Thursday night matchup against the Buffalo Bills. This major development continues the recent Texans QB shake up 2025, marking the third consecutive game the young franchise cornerstone will miss.
While Stroud’s absence is a significant blow, veteran backup Davis Mills has stepped into the starting role and successfully navigated the team to back-to-back wins, providing a surprising sense of stability amidst the Texans QB shake up 2025.
Concussion Protocol Forces Stroud to the Sidelines
C.J. Stroud, who was a Heisman Trophy finalist in college and has established himself as a top young NFL quarterback, originally sustained the concussion during the second quarter of the Texans’ Week 9 loss to the Denver Broncos. The injury occurred after a scramble where the back of his helmet violently struck the turf. Head Coach DeMeco Ryans confirmed on Tuesday that Stroud, despite returning to a limited practice, did not have enough time to clear all the necessary phases of the concussion protocol before the quick turnaround of the Thursday night game.
This cautious approach, particularly given Stroud’s second documented concussion since his rookie year, is the prudent decision within the ongoing Texans QB shake up 2025. The Texans QB shake up 2025 is heavily influenced by the league’s strict health and safety guidelines, which prioritize player welfare above all else.
Davis Mills: A Reliable Hand in the Texans QB Shake Up 2025
The silver lining for the Texans (5-5) has been the play of veteran backup Davis Mills. Stepping in initially against the Broncos, Mills has since led the team to two straight victories over division rivals, the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Tennessee Titans. In his two starts, Mills has completed over 60% of his passes for more than 500 yards, tallying three touchdowns to just one interception. His performance has been efficient and clutch, including leading a game-winning field goal drive against the Titans.
Mills’ experience—having previously started 26 games for the team in his first two seasons—has proven invaluable in this Texans QB shake up 2025. His ability to keep the offense moving and protect the football has been instrumental in keeping the Texans competitive in the AFC playoff race. This level of experienced depth is exactly why the team can weather this short-term Texans QB shake up 2025 without a total collapse.
Bills Challenge Puts Pressure on Mills
The Week 12 matchup against the Buffalo Bills (7-3) presents the toughest test yet for Mills and the Texans’ offense. The Bills feature an elite defense and a high-powered offense led by their star quarterback. Mills will need to rely heavily on the Texans’ running game and execute a clean, mistake-free game plan to give Houston a chance to reach a winning record for the first time this season. The short week makes preparation difficult for any team, let alone one dealing with a major Texans QB shake up 2025.
Despite Stroud’s absence, the team’s two-game winning streak provides a significant confidence boost, demonstrating their resiliency. The focus now shifts to whether Mills can continue his steady play and leverage the talent around him to pull off an upset against one of the AFC’s top contenders. The outcome of this game will be a telling indicator of the Texans’ true depth and playoff readiness in the face of this critical Texans QB shake up 2025
