Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) is still in the concussion protocol on Monday of Browns week. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)AP
CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Browns aren’t sure who they’ll be spending Christmas Eve with just yet.
That’s because Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud was still in the concussion protocol as of Monday afternoon.
The Titans defeated Stroud, the second overall pick out of Ohio State, 19–16 in overtime on Sunday. Former Browns quarterback Case Keenum started in Stroud’s place and led the team to the game-winning field goal drive.
Keenum performed admirably, leading the playoff-bound Texans to an 8-6 record, one game behind the 9-5 Browns. With a 79.5 rating, he completed 23 of 36 passes for 229 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.
Following the game, Keenum said, “I’m built for this.” “I’ve encountered numerous circumstances. I’ve used numerous different systems. I have participated in numerous games. But it’s because of God that I am who I am. All I’m trying to do is be prepared for when my number is called. As I’ve said previously, you don’t prepare. You remain prepared.
Throwing 20 touchdowns against only five interceptions, Stroud led the Texans to a 7-6 record and rose to No. 5 in the NFL with a 98.7 rating prior to sustaining the injury.
He is a strong contender for offensive rookie of the year in the NFL and still has an opportunity to surpass Andrew Luck’s record of 4,374 passing yards as a rookie. With his throws, Stroud has 3,631 yards.
The Browns are presently the No. 5 seed in the postseason race, but other teams are vying for one of the three wild card positions, so Sunday’s AFC game is important for both clubs. The Texans, as the eighth seed, are now one spot away from the final wild card place and on the outside looking in.
The final two wild card places are held by Cincinnati and Indianapolis, while the Bengals, Colts, Texans, and Bills are all knotted at 8-6.
For the Browns in 2021, Keenum was 2-0, so he is no stranger to football that can compete for the playoffs. With Kevin Stefanski coaching his quarterbacks, he went 11-3 in Minnesota in 2017 and helped the Vikings win the NFC Championship Game with a touchdown pass to Stefon Diggs on the final play of the divisional round, known as the “Minneapolis Miracle.”
Stefanski remarked, “We’ll see where that goes (with Stroud).” “We’ll see; they have a good roster, obviously. In particular, a person with whom I have collaborated on two occasions throughout the years. Fantastic guy, I’m happy to see him down there, and he’s a fantastic quarterback. We’ll see how the week goes; after all, he’s won on every level. But it goes without saying that I greatly respect Case.
Joel Bitonio was immobile following the match.
With just over six minutes remaining in the first quarter of Sunday’s Bears game, Browns left guard Joel Bitonio left with a back injury. After the game, he was in terrible shape.
“I have a bad back,” Bitonio remarked. “Not feeling well; not sure what happened exactly.”
Bitonio had tests on Monday, but Stefanski provided little information other than to state that Bitonio was out like the majority of the injured players due to a lower back problem.
Bitonio will need to put together a spectacular comeback to take on the Texans, though, based on his post-game behavior.
Bitonio remarked, “It’s not the best timing for me, but I just can’t move right now. I was going to walk back to the treatment room when everybody surrounded me.” “But this week, we’ll see how it goes.”
He helped others including his replacement, Michael Dunn, while remaining on the sidelines despite the agony. By the end of the game, Wyatt Teller, the right guard, was the only original starter still standing due to injuries sustained along the line.
“I was just trying to keep it moving because I was one of the eight guys that dressed up for the game, so who knows what happens in a football game, and with a back injury, you kind of want to move as much as you can anyway,” he said. “I was simply trying to fight until I was no longer able to do so.”
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