The Houston Texans are set to conclude their preseason schedule this week with a game against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte. This matchup follows a joint practice held on Wednesday, where the Texans had the opportunity to evaluate the Panthers in a competitive setting.
Throughout the preseason, the Texans have been cautious with their starters, who have seen limited action. Quarterback C.J. Stroud and running back Woody Marks participated in just one drive during last week’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders. The starting offensive line has only played a total of two drives across two games, and the starting defense has yet to take the field.
Head coach DeMeco Ryans confirmed that no starters will be playing in the upcoming game against the Panthers. This decision reflects a conservative approach to the preseason, as the Texans plan to field backups for their final exhibition game.
Several factors may have influenced this strategy. The first-team offense and defense had already gained valuable experience during the joint practice, which may have led the coaching staff to feel satisfied with their performance. Additionally, the Texans have recently faced injury concerns, with several players, including wide receiver Jayden Higgins and offensive tackle Braden Smith, suffering significant injuries.
To mitigate the risk of further injuries, the team has opted to rest their starters ahead of the regular season.
