The Texans couldn’t get a break in Sunday’s 30—6 loss to the Jets, and the NFL officiating crew wasn’t helping.
Houston quarterback C.J. Stroud exited in the fourth quarter with a possible head injury after getting hit by the Jets’ Quinnen Williams and Quinton Jefferson. Stroud slammed the back of his head on the turf and was briefly examined in the blue medical tent before heading to the locker room. Multiple sources have reported the No. 2 pick is currently in concussion protocol.
Following the unfortunate setback, some eagle-eyed fans pointed out that it was actually a late hit that got Stroud injured. A slow-motion replay revealed that both Williams and Jefferson tackled the rookie quarterback well after Stroud had released the ball. None of the officials on the field picked up on the penalty, and the Jets got away with a no-call in the end.
The Texans-Jets officiating crew—which was already under heavy scrutiny going into Week 14—should expect to face plenty of criticism after the game.
This is the play CJ Stroud was hurt on. pic.twitter.com/IVWzdzbY2H
— DJ Bien-Aime (@Djbienaime) December 10, 2023
You'll never guess the officiating crew that just missed the late hit on #Texans QB CJ Stroud that got him injured.
— Charles Goldman (@goldmctNFL) December 10, 2023
The crew is led by referee Brad Allen, who was involved in two controversial game-changing decisions in the last two weeks.
In the Packers’ 27—19 win over the Chiefs, Allen’s crew opted not to call defensive pass interference on Green Bay’s Carrington Valentine for making contact with Marquez Valdes-Scantling late in the fourth. The week prior to that game, Allen’s crew also came under fire for missing another pass interference penalty in the Falcons’ 24—15 victory over the Saints.
Stroud completed 10-of-23 passes for 91 yards before his injury. With Sunday’s loss, the Texans are 7—6 in the AFC South and will look to bounce back against the Titans next week.
