The Houston Texans are gearing up for a Week 15 divisional matchup against the Tennessee Titans with major playoff implications at stake.

The Texans are one of six AFC teams entering into Week 15 with a 7-6 record looking to pull away with a potential Wild Card spot in the AFC playoff race.

However, the Texans might be without their most important player on Sunday.

Rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud has not yet cleared concussion protocol and could potentially be at risk of missing the team's Week 15 matchup. Stroud was injured in Week 14 after taking a big shot that caused him to bang his head off the turf.

Stroud was ruled out for the remainder of the game against the New York Jets. Backup quarterback Davis Mills finished the game for the Texans but had just one completion on four attempts for four yards.

If Stroud isn't able to clear protocol in time for Sunday's game, Mills should be expected to start against the Titans with veteran Case Keenum serving as his backup. Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans still feels confident in his quarterback room to step up in the rookie's potential absence.

"We felt we've had a really strong quarterback group since training camp," Ryans said while speaking with the media on Wednesday. "We feel really good about all three guys that we've had. We just know, in this league, you never know what happens at that position and it's comforting to have three guys who can go out and play."

That's certainly the truth and it has been increasing evident throughout the entire league this season. The Texans are truly fortunate to have not one but two experienced backup quarterbacks on the roster willing to step up in a moment's notice when their number is called. 

Mills, for example, started 15 games for the Texans in 2022 throwing for 3,118 passing yards with a 17-15 touchdown-interception ratio. In his three career starts against the Titans, Mills has thrown for 210.3 passing yards per game with a 5-2 touchdown-interception ratio.

The division rival will be a familiar opponent for the Texans former starter and 3rd-round pick. Despite becoming the backup after two seasons as the starter, Mills has maintained a true level of professional while sitting behind Stroud as his backup. 

His attitude toward his situation has been a testament to Ryans' coaching philosophies and will ultimately give the Texans an edge on Sunday in spite of the major loss.

"I always tell all of our guys, no matter where you are on the roster, everyone prepare to start," Ryans said. "You never know when that opportunity will present itself. So, if everybody is preparing that way, then we'll be fine when we go into the game."

The Texans won their most recent matchup against the Titans with Mills in the starting lineup back in Week 16, 2022. Mills finished the game 17/28 for 178 passing yards with one touchdown and one interception. The Texans defense forced two interceptions against Titans quarterback Malik Willis to secure the 19-14 win.

Interesting enough, the Texans were also without wide receiver Nico Collins in that Week 16 win. Collins did not participate in practice on Wednesday with a calf injury that forced him to leave the game last week. 

However, the Texans wide receiver room in 2023 looks a lot stronger than it was in that game even considering the loss of Tank Dell and potentially being without Collins.

We'll see how the week progresses in terms of the availability of both Stroud and Collins heading into Sunday's game. 

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