The NFL preseason can be light on meaningful moments, with the bulk of the action consisting of back-of-the-roster players fighting for a spot on the team. But among the captivating storylines is the debuts of the most recent crop of first-round picks and budding franchise quarterbacks, and Thursday night provided just that with the Texans and No. 2 draft pick C.J. Stroud taking on the Patriots.
Stroud got his first taste of life in the NFL with an opening drive that ended, well, in a bit of disaster. After guiding the offense to a first down, he took a 15-yard sack on his fourth play of the game. Then, facing a third-and-21, he threw and ill-advised pass that was intercepted by New England cornerback Jalen Mills.
CJ Stroud's first preseason drive ends with an INT 👀
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) August 10, 2023
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/MRaajq3pvv