The Texans’ third and final preseason game didn’t deliver a win, but it did give the team one last look at a few players trying to carve out roles before roster decisions get real. Houston fell 16-13 to the Panthers at Bank of America Stadium, and with most of the starters and key reserves either sitting or seeing only a handful of snaps, the night became all about the backups and bubble guys.
On offense, Josh Kelly made the strongest case among the receivers who actually got work. Houston held out most of its top pass-catching options, including recent trade acquisition Kayshon Boutte, but Kelly still found a way to stand out.
He finished with a team-high three catches for 36 yards, nearly doubling the next-closest receiver in production. Even so, the performance probably doesn’t move him much on the depth chart, given how crowded the Texans’ receiver room is right now.
It did, though, make him the most effective pass-catcher Houston put on the field.
There wasn’t much pretty about Davis Mills’ night. The Texans’ QB2 was on the field for just four drives from the opening quarter into the second, and the stat line was rough: three completions on seven attempts for 18 yards, two sacks for 14 yards, and an interception thrown to Panthers safety Lanthan Ransom. Mills was working with a heavy dose of backups around him, so there’s no need to sound the alarm, but it was still not the kind of finish any quarterback wants heading into September.
Houston’s new QB3 also had another uneven outing, though it was better than his first preseason appearance. He entered midway through the second quarter and went 13 of 23 for 101 yards, with two sacks, a touchdown pass to Zay Jones, and an interception late in the fourth quarter. The progress was there, but the performance still leaves the Texans with a question to answer about whether they want to carry a third quarterback onto the roster for the opener against the Buffalo Bills.
One of the quieter disappointments on offense was Bond, who had been one of Houston’s more notable preseason and training camp standouts. The sixth-round rookie was targeted twice but couldn’t come down with either pass. He still looks to be in line for one of the last receiver spots on the 53-man roster, though the recent trade for Kayshon Boutte could complicate things before Week 1.
Defensively, Fisher continued a strong preseason run. The seventh-round rookie handled a big share of the linebacker snaps and led the Texans with 12 total tackles.
With Houston dealing with injuries at linebacker, his timing could hardly be better. A performance like this only helps him push closer to a 53-man roster spot.
The pass rush, meanwhile, had a tougher night than usual. The Texans were short-handed again on the defensive end front because of injuries, but Sebastian Harsh still flashed.
The UDFA rookie was the best name in that group, finishing with two tackles, a pass deflection, and Houston’s only sack of the night. That kind of production matters when cuts are looming.
George Odum also made the most of his defensive snaps. The special teams ace lined up on defense Friday and posted seven tackles, a pass deflection, and the Texans’ lone interception, picking off Panthers quarterback Kyle Trask in the second quarter. Odum has been with the team for less than a week, so that’s a strong first impression and a useful one if he’s trying to stick on the practice squad.
In Other News...
Former Texans Trade Ripple Just Created A New Lions Backfield Concern
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Now the concern is whether Isiah Pacheco can be counted on as the backup plan behind Jahmyr Gibbs after signing a one-year deal meant to bolster the position. Pacheco is already dealing with a sprained MCL and a back injury, and his availability for the season opener is suddenly in question, which leaves Detroit with less margin for error than it likely expected when the trade chatter started. [Read more 🡒]
Texans Just Learned How Little The Patriots Valued Kayshon Boutte
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For the Texans, that adds another layer to an offseason trade that already looked like a low-risk addition. Boutte had shown enough production to keep his name in the conversation, but the Patriots were planning as if he would not be part of their 2026 picture at all, which makes Houstons bet on him feel a little more intriguing now. [Read more 🡒]
Texans Suddenly Face A Pass Rush Depth Test Before Week 1
The Texans pass rush plans have been nudged into a tricky spot as the preseason winds down, with injury concerns piling up at defensive end. Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter are still healthy at the top of the rotation, but Houston has had to juggle the rest of the group while Dylan Horton, Jadeveon Clowney, Dominique Robinson and Ali Gaye work through issues of varying severity.
That opens the door for Solomon Byrd, Sabastian Harsh and Derek Parish to get a much longer look in preseason action, and those snaps matter with final roster decisions approaching. How Houston sorts out the edge depth could come down to the recovery timelines for Clowney and Robinson, leaving the last few weeks before Week 1 with more questions than the Texans likely wanted at one of their most important spots. [Read more 🡒]