Although the team motivations are completely different, both the host Houston Texans and Tennessee Titans are hopeful that their respective rookie quarterbacks will return from injury on Sunday.
Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud was a full participant in practice on Thursday and Friday, a step in a positive direction after he missed the previous two games with a concussion sustained in Week 14 against the New York Jets. He cleared the concussion protocol on Thursday.
“It’s great being back,” Stroud said. “I missed it. I feel like everything that happened, I don’t want to say, happened for a reason, but it was kind of something that I guess God wanted me to go through.
“It was tough. It wasn’t easy, but my teammates held it down as best as they could, and I appreciate them for that. Now I’m back, and I’m happy to be here, and I’m happy just to do my job again.”
Stroud led the league in passing with 3,631 yards before being sidelined, and his 98.7 passer rating was fifth in the NFL while his 279.3 passing yards per game ranked third.
The Texans (8-7) are in a three-way tie with Jacksonville and Indianapolis atop the AFC South yet are currently eighth in conference seeding, on the outside looking in at the postseason picture. However, should Houston defeat the Titans and Colts over its final two games, it will secure its first playoff berth since the 2019 campaign.
The Titans have been eliminated from postseason contention, but they are eager to get additional looks at Will Levis, who is 3-5 as a starter and was lost to an ankle injury in a 19-16 overtime loss to the Texans two weeks ago. Levis, who did not play last week in a setback against the Seattle Seahawks, has passed for 1,792 yards and eight touchdowns against four interceptions in his eight starts.
“We’ll see how this week goes, and I’m taking it day-by-day. I’m continuing to just prepare as if I was playing,” said Levis, who was a full participant in practice all week. “Keeping the same mindset regardless of the situation. … I’m continuing to work with the (trainers) to get me ready as soon as possible.”
Levis expressed an understandable level of anxiousness to get back on the field. While his rookie season is capped at two more starts at best, the momentum he generated as a starter offered a measure of promise for a franchise seeking a new direction this coming offseason.
“I just want to play ball,” Levis said. “I just want to go out there and win games and leave this season with a good taste in our mouth. We’ve had some tough losses. … There’s an opportunity to put a new version of us on tape against that same (Texans) defense, (and that’s) going to be exciting.”
The Titans ruled out cornerback Caleb Farley (back) for the game. Cornerback Tre Avery (knee), defensive end Marlon Davidson (groin) and tight end Josh Whyle (knee) were listed as questionable as of Friday.
Texans defensive end Jonathan Greenard (ankle) will miss the contest. Defensive tackles Sheldon Rankins (ankle) and Maliek Collins (hip), defensive end Will Anderson Jr. (ankle), cornerback Steven Nelson (foot/hamstring/hand) and fullback Andrew Beck (calf) were all considered questionable.
