The Houston Texans’ second preseason game is over and we see the team evolving. Friday night was the first time this year that we got to see most of their regulars in the game and they did not disappoint. CJ Stroud and Tank Dell picked up where they left off in 2023 with a 34-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter.
It was a solid game for the reserve players as well. The Texans’ reserve players scored 13 of the team’s 20 points, including a 4-yard touchdown run by Dare Ogunbowale. Let’s look at the three best performances of the day.
Wide Receiver Robert Woods
Woods, who is battling it out in the Texans’ wide receiver room, had a very good day, catching all four passes for 42 yards. While Woods won’t be the team’s starter, he is battling for the backup slot role for Houston. With Ben Skowronek, Noah Brown and John Metchie battling for the same role, the 32-year-old receiver may be on the sidelines.
Games like this help him, but it’s still not going to be an easy battle for Woods. If these games don’t help him in Houston, many teams around the league will need a veteran slot receiver after cutdown day, meaning he’ll find a home quickly.
Defensive tackle Mario Edwards Jr.
Edwards Jr. was signed in March as the team was revamping its defensive line. While he’s battling for a starting position, productive games like the one he just had are crucial. He finished the night with five tackles, two tackles for loss and a total sack.
Edwards was listed on the team’s unofficial roster as the starting defensive tackle, ahead of Tim Settle Jr. and Khalil Davis. With Denico Autry suspended to begin the season, Edwards is expected to play a key role in the starting seven.
Tight End Cade Stover
As part of the revamped offense, Cade Stover is expected to have plenty of opportunities to make plays. With Dalton Schultz and Brevin Jordan also in the tight end room, Houston is expected to run a lot of two-tight end sets. In these two games that Stover has played in, he has caught almost everything that has been thrown to him.
He caught a total of three balls on four attempts for 32 yards this week, including one for 16 yards. Last night was just a small part of Stover’s impressive summer. From his ability to contribute in the passing game to his notable run blocking, Houston will use him often during the season.
