C.J. Stroud to return in Week 17 but should he be in fantasy football lineups?

The Houston Texans are still fighting for a playoff spot and will be getting their starting quarterback back just in time. C.J. Stroud has had an incredible rookie season and is the run-away favorite to win Rookie of the Year.

The former Ohio State quarterback has also been a factor in fantasy football and ranks second in the league in passing yards per game among quarterbacks with 10 or more games played. He also has 20 passing touchdowns and only five interceptions.

However, he has missed the past two games after suffering a concussion in Week 14 against the New York Jets. The good news though is that he cleared the concussion protocol and will play this weekend.

Should C.J. Stroud be in fantasy football lineups in Week 17?

It is championship week so the stakes are pretty high for most leagues and managers who are trying to set what will be their final lineup of the season. There was a stretch during the season where C.J. Stroud was close to a Top 5 quarterback where he had four straight 300+ passing yard games. During that period, he had 13 total touchdowns and only four interceptions.

The past few weeks the Titans defense has been a little better defending quarterbacks as Geno Smith, Case Keenum, and Tua Tagovailoa all had 240 passing yards or fewer and combined for only three passing touchdowns.

The first start Case Keenum had replacing C.J. Stroud was against the Titans and while he didn't really have a big game, the Texans also were missing Nico Collins in that game. With Collins available this game, along with C.J. Stroud, he should be a good start this week.

I would expect C.J. Stroud to definitely finish inside the Top 12 and probably push for a spot in the Top 6 this week in fantasy football among quarterbacks.

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