Texans QB C.J. Stroud weighs in on first game back in win over Colts

After Sunday's 20-16 win over the Indianapolis Colts, consider this quarterback C.J. Stroud's mulligan game in his return for the Houston Texans.

As he put, he was loosening up the bolts.

"It's a big win. Big time game," Stroud said. "I thought I played really good. I thought every opportunity I had with the ball, I thought I made the right decision. A couple of plays I want back. But I thought I did a really good job of taking what the defense was giving me. I think the type of team we have, I don't have to be Superman all the time."

Stroud, who missed the past three games with a concussion, was rusty in his return, but did enough to lead Houston on four scoring drives. He didn't throw a touchdown pass, but he landed the Texans inside the red zone twice for a 4-yard score from running back Nick Chubb in the second quarter and a 7-yard score from Nico Collins on an end-around with 12 minutes remaining.

"Overall, for him, coming back, not having played in a few weeks, he did a really nice job," Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. If this is where he started, it's only up for him. So, I'm excited to see how he continues to progress."

Stroud finished 22-of-35 passing for 276 yards with an interception. He connected five times with Collins, who has become a killer to defend for Indianapolis, for 98 yards. The Pro Bowler also found Dalton Schultz seven time for 55 yards and Jayden Higgins six times for 65 yards.

"I thought I put the ball in the right positions. Thought I was accurate," Stroud said. "I thought my o-linedid a really good job of giving me an opportunity, giving me time to sit in there and deal. So, the thought routedetail was great. Thought we played really well – Nico and the rest of the guys. We just got to keep rolling.”

Now on a four-game win streak, Houston has its best chance to secure a win over the Kansas City Chiefs for the first time in the Stroud-Ryans era next Sunday night at Arrowhead Stadium. Kickoff on NBC is scheduled for 7:20 p.m.

This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans QB C.J. Stroud weighs in on perfromance in win over Colts