The Houston Texans are preparing to face the Carolina Panthers in their final preseason game, but head coach DeMeco Ryans has confirmed that none of the starters will participate. This decision follows a joint practice with the Panthers earlier this week, which allowed the team to assess their first unit in a different setting.
In previous preseason matchups, the Texans' starters had limited involvement. Quarterback C.J. Stroud and running back Woody Marks were on the field for only one drive against the Las Vegas Raiders last week. The starting offensive line has participated in just two drives across both games, and notably, the starting defense has yet to take the field during the preseason.
Ryans stated that this cautious approach is deliberate, as the team is content with how their starters performed in practice. The decision to rest starters also comes amid injuries to key players, such as wide receiver Jayden Higgins and offensive tackle Braden Smith, prompting the team to minimize injury risks.
As the Texans gear up for the regular season, backups, including quarterbacks Davis Mills and Brett Rypien, are expected to lead the team against the Panthers. This game will provide a final chance for players to demonstrate their abilities before the Texans finalize their 53-man roster.
The Texans will open their season against the Buffalo Bills at Reliant Stadium, where starters are anticipated to make their first game appearances.
