Houston Texans Name Starting Quarterback For Week 10 Game
The Houston Texans are about to find out just how much their quarterback means to their playoff hopes. With C.J. Stroud officially ruled out for Sunday’s showdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars due to a concussion, the Texans are turning to Davis Mills—a quarterback who hasn’t started a game since the final week of the 2022 season.
The Injury That Changed Everything
Stroud’s concussion came during last week’s loss to Denver, and frankly, it looked scary when it happened. The young quarterback took a hard hit while sliding, and his head bounced off the turf like a basketball. Head Coach DeMeco Ryans mentioned that Stroud was “feeling a little bit better,” but apparently not better enough to pass the league’s concussion protocol.
Davis Mills: From Afterthought to Starting Quarterback
Remember Mills? The Stanford product who was supposed to be a developmental project when Houston drafted him in the third round back in 2021? Well, he’s about to get thrust into the spotlight once again, and the Texans better hope he’s ready for it.
Mills went 5-19-1 as a starter during his first two seasons. But here’s the thing: he’s not the same quarterback who struggled mightily in 2021 and 2022. Since Stroud arrived, Mills has been solid in limited action, throwing for 385 yards with 2 touchdowns and no interceptions.
The Texans obviously believe in him enough to sign him to a $7 million extension through 2026. That’s not pocket change for a backup, and it shows they see him as more than just a clipboard holder.
Why This Game Matters More Than You Think
Here’s where things get really interesting (and a little painful for Texans fans). Houston is sitting at 3-5, which is already disappointing after back-to-back division titles. But they’re also trailing both the Indianapolis Colts (7-2) and the Jacksonville Jaguars (5-3) in the AFC South.
The Texans already lost to Jacksonville once this season. Another loss would put them at 0-2 against a division rival and 3-6 overall. In a competitive AFC, that’s the kind of hole that’s nearly impossible to climb out of.
The Silver Lining Nobody Wants To Talk About
If there’s one positive in this mess, it’s that Mills gets a full week to prepare. No getting thrown in cold off the bench, no trying to figure out the game plan on the fly. He’s getting every first-team rep in practice, and by all accounts from Ryans, he’s looked sharp.
“He did an outstanding job,” Ryans said after Wednesday’s practice. “We were efficient in and out of the huddle, at the line of scrimmage. He did a great job of communicating.”
The Playoff Picture Gets Murkier
The Texans entered this season with legitimate Super Bowl aspirations. They had their franchise quarterback, a solid defense, and the confidence that comes with consecutive playoff appearances. Now? They’re fighting just to stay relevant in their own division.
Houston’s offense has been struggling even with Stroud under center. They are 24th in scoring and absolutely dreadful on third down. Mills stepping in isn’t going to magically fix those issues, but maybe—just maybe—he can manage the game well enough to keep the Texans competitive.
What Mills Brings To the Table
Let’s give Mills some credit here. His last start was memorable for all the right reasons—a 298-yard, three-touchdown performance against the Colts that included the game-winning two-point conversion. Ironically, that victory actually hurt Houston’s draft position and helped them land at No. 2, where they selected Stroud.
Sometimes football has a sense of humor, even when nobody’s laughing. Mills knows this offense, he’s got the respect of his teammates, and he’s been preparing for this moment since the day Stroud was drafted. The question isn’t whether he’s capable—it’s whether the Texans can overcome their other issues long enough to give him a chance.
The Bottom Line
The Texans find themselves in an uncomfortable position: needing a backup quarterback to save their season. It’s not where they expected to be, and it’s certainly not where their fans wanted them to be.
But here’s the thing about the NF. Sometimes, the most unlikely heroes emerge in the biggest moments. Mills has already proven he can win games in this league. Sunday against Jacksonville, he’ll get the chance to prove he can still do it when it matters most.
