When C.J. Stroud hit the turf hard against the San Francisco 49ers in late October 2025, a collective gasp echoed through NRG Stadium. The diagnosis was a concussion. For most teams, losing a franchise centerpiece in the middle of a playoff hunt is basically a death sentence. At that moment, the Texans sat at 3-5. The season felt over.
It wasn't.
Houston didn't just survive; they went on a tear. Looking at the Texans quarterback depth chart right now, in January 2026, you realize why DeMeco Ryans looks so calm on the sidelines. They aren't just top-heavy with a superstar. They have a room built for the long haul.
The Star of the Show: C.J. Stroud
Stroud is the undisputed king of Houston. He’s 24 years old and playing like he’s 34. In the 2025 regular season, he put up 3,041 passing yards with 19 touchdowns against 8 interceptions. Are those "God-tier" numbers? No. In fact, his adjusted yards per game actually dipped from 205.0 in his rookie campaign to about 179.0 this year.
Stats don't tell everything.
He just led the Texans to a 30-6 thumping of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Wild Card round yesterday. He went 21-of-32 for 250 yards. He threw a pick, sure, but he controlled the game. He has this weird ability to make the pocket feel twice as large as it actually is. It’s that Ohio State pedigree, but refined by NFL fire.
The Most Expensive Insurance Policy: Davis Mills
Honestly, Davis Mills is the reason the Texans are even in the playoffs. While Stroud was sidelined with that concussion in November, Mills stepped in and went 3-0. He beat the Jaguars and the Bills. He threw for 719 yards and five scores in that three-game stretch.
The front office knew what they were doing when they signed him to a $7 million extension through 2026. He’s the second-highest-paid backup in the league. People used to meme about "Mills Mafia," but the dude is legit.
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Quick Stats for Davis Mills (2025):
- Starts: 3
- Record: 3-0
- Passing Yards: 915
- TD/INT: 5/1
He’s currently sporting some serious "Dad Strength" too. He actually missed the team flight to Pittsburgh this past weekend because his wife, Tori, gave birth to their son, Maximus. He flew commercial, showed up at Acrisure Stadium, and was ready to go if Stroud went down. That’s the kind of reliability you want in a QB2.
The Rookie in the Shadows: Graham Mertz
Then you've got Graham Mertz. The Texans grabbed him in the sixth round (197th overall) out of Florida. He’s the "break glass in case of emergency" guy. Mertz hasn't seen regular-season action yet, but he pushed veterans out of the room during training camp to secure that third spot.
He’s basically a high-volume developmental project. He threw for over 9,000 yards in college between Wisconsin and Florida. He’s accurate. He’s smart. If both Stroud and Mills were to vanish, the offense wouldn't fundamentally change because Mertz fits the same "processor" mold they like.
Why the Depth Chart Structure Matters
Most NFL teams pray their starter stays healthy. The Texans are different. They’ve invested $7 million and a draft pick into ensuring the system doesn't break.
- The Continuity Factor: Mills has 29 NFL starts. He isn't a "project." He’s a veteran who understands Ryans’ system.
- The Economic Reality: Paying a backup $7M is steep, but compared to the cost of a lost season? It’s a bargain.
- Draft Strategy: Taking Mertz in the late rounds shows they are constantly looking to cycle young talent behind the expensive veterans.
The Texans are currently riding a nine-game winning streak. Nine! That streak started exactly when Mills took over for an injured Stroud. It’s a testament to the fact that this team isn't just a one-man show.
What This Means for Your Fantasy or Betting Strategy
If you're looking at the Texans for the Divisional round or even looking ahead to 2026, don't be afraid of a "Stroud injury" narrative. The drop-off from QB1 to QB2 in Houston is significantly smaller than it is in places like Kansas City or Cincinnati.
What to watch for next:
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- Monitor Stroud’s sack rate. He was sacked 23 times in 14 regular-season games. The offensive line is still a work in progress.
- Keep an eye on Davis Mills' trade value. A team desperate for a starter might come sniffing around in the 2026 offseason, though Houston seems to value him too much to let him go easily.
- Watch Mertz in the 2026 preseason. He’s the likely successor to the backup throne if Mills ever moves on.
The Texans have built a quarterback room that survives chaos. That's why they're still playing in January while half the league is at home.
Actionable Insight: If you're betting on the Texans' playoff longevity, the health of the O-line matters more than a minor Stroud injury. This depth chart has already proven it can win big games without its superstar. Keep a close eye on the injury reports for Tytus Howard and Blake Fisher, as that protection is what keeps the whole QB room viable.