Nobody knew exactly how long C.J. Stroud would play on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans, but after completing his first six passes for 50 yards and a touchdown, his sophomore season appears to be over.
Well, at the least for the regular season.
The reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year will be on the field next week for the Houston Texans in the wild-card round. Entering the afternoon slate, Houston will host against the Pittsburgh Steelers or Los Angeles Chargers as the No. 5 seed.
After a stellar rookie debut, Stroud completed 63.1 % of passes for 3,727 yards with 20 touchdowns against 12 interceptions. Stroud finished with better statistics in all of the categories as a rookie when he won Offensive Rookie of the Year and finished 8th in MVP voting.
Stroud’s regression statistically can partially be blamed on the struggles from Houston’s offensive line, which allowed 52 sacks. Only Chicago Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams was sacked more.
#Texans backup quarterback Davis Mills into the game for C.J. Stroud who completed all six throws for 50 yards and touchdowns to Nico Collins @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/x9eZxz0KuK
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) January 5, 2025
Aside from the regular season finale, opponents sacked Stroud at least once, including a season-high eight in a Halloween night loss to the New York Jets.
Houston began the season 5-1 with Stroud throwing for more than 250 yards in half of the contests. Stroud also threw 10 touchdown passes in the opening six-game stretch, matching his touchdown total in the last 11 games of the season.
Stroud did close his 2024 season with a strong first drive against the Tennessee Titans by completing six consecutive passes for 50 yards a touchdown.
With a win, the Texans will secure back-to-back 10-win seasons for the first time since 2019.