Texans Stroud evaluated for concussion, Mills to start

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud left Sunday’s game against the Denver Broncos in the second quarter after a heavy hit that sent his head to the turf, and the team said he was being evaluated for a concussion. The play and the injury came with the Texans hosting the Broncos at NRG Stadium on Nov. 2, in a matchup pitting Houston’s top-ranked defense against a Denver club on a five-game surge.

The sequence began on a 6-yard scramble in the second quarter when Broncos cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine made contact as Stroud went to slide. Stroud’s head struck the ground and he remained motionless for several minutes while medical staff tended to him on the field. He eventually walked to the sideline, gave a thumbs-up to the crowd, entered the medical tent and then proceeded to the locker room. Officials initially flagged Abrams-Draine for unnecessary roughness, but the call was overturned on review after officials said he did not make contact with Stroud’s head or neck. With Stroud out, Davis Mills replaced him under center. Prior to exiting, Stroud was 6 of 10 for 79 yards and had two scrambles for 12 yards.

The injury injects uncertainty into Houston’s immediate plans. Stroud...