Nov 2, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans quarterback Davis Mills (10) throws during the first half against the Denver Broncos at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images

The Houston Texans are fighting for their lives in the AFC, and they’ll need to do it this upcoming week without their starting quarterback.

C. J. Stroud will be out due to a concussion for Houston’s upcoming inter-division game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Stroud suffered the injury this past week in a loss to the Denver Broncos, and although Stroud is feeling better, he won’t play for only a few days after suffering the head injury.

Davis Mills will be starting in his absence after being thrown into the middle of the Broncos game following Stroud’s injury. A sturdy backup for years in Texas, Mills is no stranger to playing at a moment’s notice and putting up solid results when inserted.

“That's what I get paid to do [by] always [being] prepared,” Mills said in the post-game press conference. “And it's nice having a full week of practice going into this game to attack this defense and go out there and compete with the guys."

At 3-5 and looking up at the Jaguars (5-3) and the Indianapolis Colts (7-2), this is effectively a do-or-die game for a franchise that had lofty expectations heading into the 2025 season. It will be up to Mills and the team’s swarming defense to try to keep their playoff dreams alive as Stroud watches from the sidelines.

This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: C.J. Stroud out with concussion, Davis Mills to start vs. Jaguars

Reporting by Tyler Erzberger, Touchdown Wire / Touchdown Wire

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