Texans name Keenum starter against Titans

The Houston Texans have appointed third-string quarterback Case Keenum as the starter for the crucial American Football Conference (AFC) South matchup against the Tennessee Titans in Nashville. Keenum, a former player for the University of Houston (UH) over a decade ago, will replace C.J. Stroud, who is currently undergoing concussion protocol.

Yahoo Sports reports that Stroud, who was the second overall selection from Ohio State University in last spring's draft, did not participate in practice with the Texans in preparation for the Titans after sustaining a concussion during a game against the New York Jets. Concurrently, there was speculation about whether second-string quarterback Davis Mills would start.

According to Yahoo Sports, concussion protocol necessitates five steps and approval from an independent neurologist before an affected player can fully participate. In his rookie season spanning 13 games, Stroud has made a significant impression on the National Football League (NFL). As per league's website data, he currently ranks second behind Miami Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa in terms of passing yards this season – with a total of 3,631.

Keenum, originally signed by the Texans as an undrafted free agent in 2012, has had a varied career within the league. The 35-year-old has amassed nearly 15,000 passing yards across almost 80 games. His most recent appearance on field was as part of Cleveland Browns in 2021, as reported by Yahoo Sports.