The Houston Texans capped off a week away from NRG Stadium as practice took place in Chagrin Falls, Ohio with a 20-12 preseason win over the Pittsburgh Steelers Friday night at Acrisure Stadium.
C.J. Stroud only played a pair of series, but the pop and pizazz were on display with his 34-yard touchdown pass to Tank Dell during the first quarter. New pass rusher Danielle Hunter also recorded two pressures and his first sack since signing with the team this offseason.
While there are questions surrounding the future of the run game, plus the secondary and offensive line depth, starters looked the part of star power with impeccable upside. Two drives were enough for DeMeco Ryans to wave the white flag and turn to backups.
Here are the snap counts that contributed to Houston’s preseason victory.
#Texans snap counts and who didn't play against #Steelers pic.twitter.com/PH00RGvT8M
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) August 10, 2024
Offensive snaps: 61
Defensive snaps: 57
Special teams snaps: 17
While DeMeco Ryans mentioned that starters would see action, Stroud, Stefon Diggs and Nico Collins only played a combined 21 snaps. Dell, who finished with one catch for 34 yards and a score, played just four snaps.
As for the offensive line, Kenyon Green, Juice Scruggs and Blaker Fisher stayed out with the second-team offense for the second quarter. Scruggs and Green are projected starters who are fully he Fisher has filled in for the injured Laremy Tunsil.
The second-round pick out of Notre Dame is expected to serve as Houston’s swing tackle this fall, but he’s only seen reps on the left side. He played 20 snaps. Scruggs, who’s shifting back to his natural center spot, played 11. Green played the most of any projected starter with 30 snaps.
Defensively, Hunter and Azeez Al-Shaair were limited to seven and nine snaps, respectively. Third-round pick Calen Bullock saw reps with the first-team defense and totaled 22 snaps before being pulled.
Cornerback D’Angleo Ross saw extended field time, taking 59 percent of the defensive snaps while playing late into the fourth quarter.
The Texans will rest up before taking on the New York Giants next Saturday at noon. It will also serve as the Texans’ home preseason opener.
