Despite the extremely close win this past Sunday against a struggling Tennessee Titans, the Texans have a short resting week preparing for their primetime Thursday Night Football appearance against Buffalo. Houston, who is currently (5-5), is set to host a major AFC showdown against the visiting Buffalo Bills, who are (7-3), on Thursday night on their home turf at NRG Stadium. This Week 12 matchup has high stakes for both teams in the AFC playoff race, but all eyes in Houston are focused on the quarterback position.

The biggest story heading into the primetime game is the uncertain status of Texans starting quarterback C.J. Stroud.

Injury Status: Stroud is currently in the NFL's concussion protocol after sustaining an injury in Week 9 against the Denver Broncos. He has missed the last two games.

The Short Week Hurdle: With the game taking place on Thursday night, the short turnaround presents a significant challenge for Stroud to clear the rigorous protocol. Clearing the protocol requires the player to be symptom-free and practice twice without symptoms, ultimately being cleared by an independent neurologist.

Likely Scenario: Given the timing, reports as of Monday, November 17, 2025, indicate that Stroud is "extremely unlikely" to be cleared in time for Thursday's game.

While Stroud is reportedly making progress, the compressed timeline makes his return improbable for Week 12. His status remains officially questionable, but hopes are running high amongst Texans fans.

If Stroud is unable to play, backup quarterback Davis Mills is prepared to take the starting snaps for the third consecutive week. The question becomes, if Mills struggled against the Titans, how will he perform against Buffalo.

Recent Success: Mills has successfully navigated the Texans to back-to-back wins without Stroud, including a dramatic last-second victory over the Tennessee Titans in Week 11. Against the Titans, Mills delivered a clutch performance, completing 26 of 41 passes for 274 yards and a touchdown, orchestrating the game-winning drive.

Coach's Confidence: Head Coach DeMeco Ryans has expressed confidence in Mills, emphasizing that the team's success relies on the entire unit executing their jobs. Mills, a former third-round pick, started 26 games for the team in the 2021 and 2022 seasons, giving him valuable experience to draw upon.

The Bills present a far tougher challenge than the Texans' previous two opponents. Mills will need to rely heavily on the Texans' stout defense and the playmaking of receivers like Nico Collins to keep pace with the Bills' high-powered offense led by reigning NFL MVP, Josh Allen.