In their upcoming final preseason game against the Carolina Panthers, the Houston Texans will rest all starters, as confirmed by head coach DeMeco Ryans. This decision follows a joint practice with the Panthers earlier in the week, which allowed the team to assess their first unit in a practice environment.
Throughout the preseason, the starters have had limited playing time. Quarterback C.J. Stroud and running back Woody Marks participated in only one drive during the previous game against the Las Vegas Raiders. The starting offensive line has only been on the field for two drives across both preseason games, and the starting defense has yet to play this preseason.
Ryans emphasized that this cautious approach is deliberate, as the team is pleased with the starters' performance during the joint practice. Injuries to key players, such as wide receiver Jayden Higgins and offensive tackle Braden Smith, have also contributed to the decision to rest the starters and reduce the risk of injury.
As the Texans prepare for the regular season, backups, including quarterbacks Davis Mills and Brett Rypien, will take the field against the Panthers, providing a final chance for players to demonstrate their abilities before the 53-man roster is finalized.
The Texans will open their regular season against the Buffalo Bills at Reliant Stadium, where starters are expected to play.