Overview
- Head coach DeMeco Ryans said Friday that Stroud completed symptom‑free practices and received independent clearance, confirming him as Sunday’s starter in Indianapolis.
- Safety Jalen Pitre also exited the protocol after three missed games and returns to a defense allowing the fewest yards per game and the second‑fewest points this season, per ESPN.
- Stroud had missed the remainder of the Nov. 2 game and the next three after his head struck the turf on a slide following contact from Broncos cornerback Kris Abrams‑Draine.
- Backup Davis Mills went 3-0 as the starter to lift Houston to 6-5, keeping the Texans in the playoff hunt behind the Colts at 8-3 and the Jaguars at 7-4.
- Colts quarterback Daniel Jones practiced despite a reported fractured fibula and is expected to try to play, according to NFL Network, as Houston arrives off an eight‑sack performance against Buffalo.