The Houston Texans have announced that quarterback C.J. Stroud will not be playing in Sunday's upcoming game against the Cleveland Browns. Stroud had suffered a concussion in the team's Week 14 loss to the New York Jets and remained in the concussion protocol, causing him to miss the following game against the Tennessee Titans in Week 15.

Texans coach DeMeco Ryans addressed questions earlier this week about the possibility of Stroud's season being over due to the injury. Ryans stated that each concussion is unique and requires varying amounts of time to heal. He assured reporters that Stroud was going through the necessary protocol, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing the quarterback's health.

During the Texans' last game against the Titans, quarterback Case Keenum started in place of Stroud. The team managed to secure a 19-16 overtime victory in that matchup. Stroud did not practice on Wednesday, further indicating the severity of his concussion.

Apart from Stroud, the Texans will also be without defensive end Will Anderson Jr. (ankle) and linebacker Blake Cashman (hamstring) for the Sunday game. Wide receiver Nico Collins (calf), linebacker Denzel Perryman (Achilles), and defensive tackle Maliek Collins (hip) have all been limited in practice for the past three consecutive days and are listed as questionable for the upcoming game against the Browns.

The Texans currently hold the No. 8 spot in the AFC with an 8-6 record. They find themselves in a three-way tie with the Indianapolis Colts and the Jacksonville Jaguars for the top position in the AFC South. Furthermore, they are one game behind the Browns (9-5) in the tightly contested AFC wild-card playoff race.

As the Texans prepare to face the Browns without their starting quarterback, the team will rely on their depth and the leadership of Coach Ryans to secure a crucial victory and enhance their playoff chances in the competitive AFC.