Quarterback C.J. Stroud and his fellow Houston Texans starters will not play against the Carolina Panthers on the road in the preseason finale. That much, Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans has decided.
“No starters will play Friday vs. #Panthers per #Texans coach DeMeco Ryans, KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson reported on X on August 26.
SportsTalk 790’s Adam Wexler corroborated the report with one of his own.
That means Preseason Week 2 against the Las Vegas Raiders was their only work of the exhibition slate, and–by all accounts, including, most notably, Ryans’–it went well, as they prepare to open the regular season against the Buffalo Bills.
DeMeco Ryans Makes Final Decision on C.J. Stroud, Texans Starters vs Panthers
Ryans’ decision comes on the heels of Stroud completing 4 of 6 passes for 27 yards on his only preseason drive. It ended with a touchdown.
Ryans pulled the group after that. However, he needed to see something else. Something he did not get in their first practice of the week. He said as much after.
The fourth-year HC sang a different tune on Tuesday.
The Texans are also battling injuries at multiple positions. Ryans and the rest of the coaching staff are surely aware of that, with the regular season also approaching.
Panthers HC Gets Honest About Texans
Ryans was not the only one singing the Texans’ praise after Wednesday’s joint practice session. Panthers head coach Dave Canales admitted that the day belonged to their opponents after praising Texans stars Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter, calling them “fantastic players.”
“It was pretty lopsided today,” Canales told reporters when asked to evaluate his team’s offense after the joint practice. “I’ll be honest.
Canales said that he has been happy with the offense on the whole.
That just adds to the impact that the Texans had on the Panthers–who will also not play their starters in the finale–during the day. Add to that that Stroud had a strong day, and the Texans’ decision was likely an easy on.
Texans’ DeMeco Ryans Makes Final Decision on C.J. Stroud for Chargers Game