By KRISTIE RIEKEN

HOUSTON (AP) — Houston quarterback C.J. Stroud will return Sunday when the Texans visit Indianapolis in a key AFC South matchup after he missed the last three games recovering from a concussion.

Coach DeMeco Ryans said Friday that Stroud would play after clearing the concussion protocol.

“I’m just really grateful to be back finally,” Stroud said.

Stroud was injured early in the second quarter of a loss to Denver on Nov. 2. He scrambled for 6 yards and was hit on the shoulder by Kris Abrams-Draine near the end of his slide, and the back of his head violently bounced off the ground.

He returned to practice last week in a limited capacity, but Ryans said the short week given the Thursday night game didn’t leave enough time for him to be ready to return for that game aga

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