C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans had lofty expectations entering the season — and they’re still well on track to fulfill them.

But their 6-2 start has been far from easy. Or pretty. And the banged-up AFC South leaders know it.

“I think it’s a goal we had was to start fast and I believe that we’ve been putting on some good ball,” Stroud said, “but we have a lot to still clean up.”

They’ve won four of their past five, with the only loss coming on a field goal as time expired at Green Bay on Oct. 20. Next up is a Halloween night matchup against Aaron Rodgers and the struggling New York Jets (2-6), who have dropped five straight.

“It’s just exciting times,” Stroud said. “It’s coming into the two hardest months of ball is November and December. We get to end October on a prime-time game and it’s going to be a great matchup against the Jets and we’ve got to be able to be ready and try to finish October the right way.”

They’ll have to do it without two of their biggest playmakers on offense, though. Wide receiver Stefon Diggs tore the ACL in his right knee and is out for the season, and fellow receiver Nico Collins remains on injured reserve with a hamstring injury.

Police probe traffic stop involving Lions WR williams, gun

Police in Detroit are conducting an internal investigation after Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams was not locked up following a traffic stop despite the discovery of a gun under his seat that he didn’t have a permit to carry, authorities said.

Chief James White was “very unhappy about the totality of the circumstances here,” Commander Michael McGinnis told WXYZ-TV.

The gun was registered to Williams, but he does not have a concealed-carry permit, the TV station reported.

Without a permit in Michigan, a gun owner typically must place the weapon in a closed case while in a vehicle. A violation is a felony.

Williams was handcuffed and placed in a patrol car on Oct. 8. He was a passenger in a car driven by his brother, who had his own gun and a concealed-carry permit, WXYZ reported.

“I play for the Lions, bro. I’m Jameson Williams,” Williams said, according to body-camera video obtained by the TV station.

He said he lives in Detroit and needs the gun for protection.

“I feel that there was probable cause to arrest, and he was under arrest by the patrol officer,” McGinnis said. “And because of that, he should have been conveyed to the Detroit Detention Center and processed.”

But Williams was released after a sergeant arrived and talked by phone with other senior officers. The gun was also returned.

Colts Coach says QB switch was made to win now

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson was hurt when he was told he was being benched.

His replacement, 39-year-old Joe Flacco, tried to keep everything in perspective.

One day after news broke that Richardson, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 draft, had been demoted, coach Shane Steichen told reporters Flacco would remain the starter the rest of this season for one simple reason.

“It’s my obligation to 53 guys and to this organization to win football games,” Steichen said Wednesday in his first comments since making the change. “Tough decision, but one I felt was in the best interest of our football team. I feel Joe gives us the best chance to win right now. With that being said, not giving up on Anthony (Richardson) by any means.”

Indy (4-4) drafted Richardson to stop a seemingly endless spinning quarterback carousel, projecting him to be the franchise’s long-term solution.

Since then, though, the 22-year-old has struggled both with his performance and his health.

His completion rate, 44.4%, is the worst in the NFL this season and he’s thrown four touchdown passes and seven interceptions. His nine total turnovers are tied for third most in the NFL despite missing two games with an injured right hip.

• Jayden Daniels practiced through his rib injury, and the Washington Commanders rookie quarterback is taking his pain tolerance and recovery on a daily basis.

“I’m still intact,” Daniels said. “I feel good.”

Daniels took several big hits while gutting through the injury on the way to throwing his Hail Mary touchdown pass to beat Chicago last weekend and get the Commanders to 6-2 this season. He was a limited participant in a very light, no pads practice Wednesday, and Daniels is expected to play at the 2-6 New York Giants on Sunday.

• Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young is scheduled to get his second straight start on Sunday against the New Orleans Saints, who expect to have Derek Carr return under center for the first time since Week 5.

Andy Dalton was a full participant in practice on Wednesday, but Carolina coach Dave Canales said he wanted to err on the side of caution and give Dalton another week to recover from the thumb injury he suffered in a car accident last week.

Dalton will be the team’s No. 2 quarterback.

• The Minnesota Vikings have agreed to terms with the Jacksonville Jaguars on a trade to acquire eight-year veteran left tackle Cam Robinson following the season-ending injury for standout Christian Darrisaw.

The deal, which was announced by the Vikings on Wednesday, was pending completion of a physical exam. The Vikings will send the Jaguars a conditional fifth-round pick in the 2026 draft that can become a fourth-rounder based on playing time, and the Jaguars also will trade a conditional seventh-rounder in 2026 that can go away based on playing time.

• The New York Jets placed struggling kicker Greg Zuerlein on injured reserve and signed potential replacements Riley Patterson and Spencer Shrader to the practice squad.

Zuerlein, who has missed six of his 15 field-goal attempts this season, appeared on the team’s injury report Tuesday with an issue with his left, non-kicking leg.