(Photo credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images)

Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud is in concussion protocol, Houston coach DeMeco Ryans said one day after Stroud's head hit the ground hard during Sunday's 18-15 loss to the Denver Broncos.

Ryans said Monday that Stroud was 'feeling a little bit better' but he wasn't willing to forecast whether Stroud will be available for Sunday's home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

'We'll see how the week goes and how he progresses throughout the week,' Ryans told reporters.

Stroud was injured early in the second quarter against the Broncos. He was scrambling downfield and went into a late slide before Denver cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine delivered a blow to Stroud's midsection and led to the back of Stroud's head hitting the turf.

Ryans was disappointed that there was no penalty for unnecessary roughness on the play.

'It's a tough play,' Ryans said. 'The quarterback is sliding. Quarterbacks are protected when they slide but what I'm learning is if you don't hit them in the head or neck area, they slide, you hit them in the chest and that's just fine. That's what I learned.'

Davis Mills replaced Stroud against Denver and completed 17 of 30 passes for 137 yards.

Mills made 25 starts over his first two seasons (2021-22) with the Texans and compiled a 5-19-1 record. All of his starts came before Stroud was the No. 2 choice in the 2023 NFL Draft.

'We expect him to go out and do his best,' Ryans said of Mills. 'Play the offense the proper way and make great decisions with the football.'

Mills has completed 62.3% of his passes for 6,327 yards, 35 touchdowns and 25 interceptions in 40 games (26 starts).

Stroud has passed for 1,702 yards and 11 touchdowns against five interceptions this season.

The Texans (3-5) had won three of four games prior to the loss to the Broncos.

--Field Level Media