C.J. Stroud, the quarterback for the Texans, is probably out Sunday against the Browns, according to sources.
ESPN: Texans QB returns before Sunday match.
Houston — According to sources who spoke to ESPN, Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud, who missed the team’s victory over the Tennessee Titans on Sunday and is still under the concussion protocol, is probably going to miss a second consecutive game this coming Sunday against the Cleveland Browns.
One insider stated on Tuesday, “He should miss another game,” and mentioned that the Texans will keep an eye on Stroud’s development before deciding.
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As he works through the protocol, Stroud, who sustained a concussion during the Texans’ 30-6 loss to the New York Jets on December 10, isn’t anticipated to practice on Wednesday.
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Texans add quarterback Boyle to their practice squad.
12 hDJ Bien-Aime Case In the event that Stroud, the No. 2 pick in the 2023 draft, is unable to play, Keenum is projected to start. In Week 15, Keenum relieved Stroud and completed 23 of 36 passes for 229 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. The Texans won 19-16 in overtime to improve to 8-6.
According to a source who spoke to ESPN on Tuesday, the Texans added former Jets quarterback Tim Boyle to their practice squad, validating an NFL Network report. To practice, the Texans required an extra quarterback on the roster.
Boyle, 29, was benched in his second start against the Atlanta Falcons after starting two games for the Jets and going 0–2 while throwing for 360 yards, one touchdown, and four interceptions.
Adam Schefter of ESPN contributed to this article.
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George Pickens of the Steelers downplays criticism of his effort.
ESPN Staff Writer Brooke Pryor December 19, 2023, 06:55 PM ET
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Pittsburgh — When Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens stopped interacting with Indianapolis Colts cornerback Jaylon Jones close to the goal line during a Jaylen Warren run in the first quarter on Saturday, Pickens stated he was attempting to prevent an injury.
“I was just trying to prevent the Tank Dell situation, the same thing that happened to [him],” Pickens said on Tuesday. “I want to avoid getting hurt. Staying too low on the block makes it very easy to get ran over.”
The Houston Texans’ wide receiver Dell broke his leg earlier this season after getting rolled up in a goal-line scramble. But Pickens was with Jones one-on-one.
Pickens has come under fire for the play, in which it seemed as though he was blocking Jones with little effort, allowing Warren to be tackled at the 1-yard line. Pickens even made a leap over outside linebacker E.J. Speed, who had helped on the tackle, as Speed rolled toward him.
However, Pickens dismissed the criticisms of his work.
“All the people that’s questioning my effort don’t play football,” Pickens stated. “They do what y’all [the media] do.”
Pickens continued, saying he is unaffected by the ruckus outside.
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“No, not really because like I said, once again, it’s media surface guys,” Pickens replied. “People who have never played games have jobs in the media… They have no intention of playing in the NFL. They are merely journalists.”
The media isn’t the only group criticizing Pickens for his lack of effort, though. A week after telling reporters that Pickens’ emotions during games were an issue because they “weren’t solution-oriented,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin reportedly had a “great conversation” with Pickens prior to the Colts game, according to a pregame Q&A with the coach posted on the team website.
Tomlin stated on Monday that while his wide receiver was “better,” he still “obviously has room for continued improvement”—which includes his effort on the Warren play—when asked what he thought of Pickens’ response to that chat.
“That’s one of the examples that I’m talking about in terms of still obvious room for improvement,” Tomlin responded when he was asked about Pickens’ performance in that particular play.
In an odd turn of events, Pickens first disputed that the head coach had spoken to him about controlling his emotions and frustrations.
“He ain’t said nothing about frustration or anything like that,” Pickens replied. “We played the Colts last week,” he continued. I have never spoken with Coach T, but I say, ‘Let’s keep training and let’s get better.'”
Pickens believed the query was about a meeting with the head coach in the days following the Colts loss, according to a later statement from Steelers PR.
This season, Pickens hasn’t concealed his annoyance. Pickens has been a minor part of the struggling Steelers offense, despite recording three 100-yard games in the team’s first six games. He’s on track to finish just short of 1,000 yards, but after a promising rookie season and impressive training camp, he has barely had the breakout season that seemed imminent, with just three touchdowns and 814 receiving yards to his credit thus far.
Pickens has been caught on tape pouting on the bench and shouting at teammates throughout the season. On December 7, a replay of the game against the Patriots showed Pickens stumbling after he wasn’t targeted in the end zone. Pickens did not participate in the on-field or sideline celebrations when Diontae Johnson scored his first touchdown this season—a first in almost two years. Instead, he jogged off the field to the bench.
Pickens lost a 50/50 ball to a Colts defensive back during the game. Later, Mitch Trubisky targeted Pickens with his second pick of the game, but instead of pursuing the Colts player with the ball, the receiver appeared to flee the scene.
Pickens remarked, “When you lose, everybody gets mad.” “Many media men would like to claim that our losses are the result of my frustrations. Thus, I’m rather certain that everyone on the squad shares my rage.”
In his sixth season, Johnson rejected the notion that his fellow receiver’s demeanor was a diversion and acknowledged Pickens’ grievances.
Johnson stated, “It just depends on how the game plays out.” “This is how everyone is going to feel emotionally. It’s my job and everyone else’s job to just get behind a guy like that. In particular, George should just be positive and focused on the game so that he can make a play when the ball comes his way. That’s just part of the fun.
“Emotions are difficult, but they are a necessary component of the game. I don’t want to stand here and tell him that George is the offender’s fault. The statement is untrue.
