Joe Webb III was the solo quarterback in the Texans 28-26 preseason loss to the Green Bay Packers. The 10-year veteran completed 25-of-40 passes (62.5%) for 286 yards, one touchdown, two interceptions and rushed for a team-high 47 yards on six carries. Webb threw for the most passing yards by a Texans player in a preseason game in franchise history.
"Joe competed hard," head coach Bill O'Brien said. "Joe is really what we are looking for in a Houston Texan. He's a smart, tough, dependable guy. He doesn't get a whole lot of reps at quarterback. He went in there and competed hard. Like everybody, he had his share of plays he wishes he could have back. We wouldn't have been in the game without Joe Webb. He competed all the way through. He's a great guy."
Webb led the offense on back-to-back scoring drives in the first half. He completed 11-of-17 for 97 yards and four carries for 41 yards before halftime.
Houston scored its first points of the game in the second quarter when running back Damarea Crockett rushed for a one-yard touchdown. Webb completed 4-of-6 passes for 29 yards and rushed for 26 yards on the drive. Keke Coutee caught a nine-yard pass to start the drive. Steven Mitchell caught a pass for 8 yards while running backs Taiwan Jones and Crockett added carries on the ground. The Texans tied the score 7-7 following the 14-play, 61-yard scoring drive.
On the final drive of the first half, Webb connected with Jordan Akins on third down to extend the drive. Following the two-minute warning, Crockett had back-to-back carries for 12 and two yards, respectively. Webb completed passes to Tyron Johnson and Mitchell. On fourth-and-5, Kaimi Fairbairn's 49-yard field goal cut Green Bay's lead to four, as the Texans trailed 14-10 at halftime.
In the fourth quarter, Webb threw a six-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jerell Adams to cap off a seven-play, 75-yard scoring drive. Webb connected with wide receiver Tyron Johnson for a 44-yard gain on the series. Jester Weah caught a 15-yard reception to move Houston's offense to the Green Bay seven-yard line. Two plays later, Adams found the endzone with 13:13 left in the game.
"He told me the play before that if I got outside leverage he would be coming to me, so I worked the guy to get outside leverage and we made it happen," Adams said.
With Webb under center, the Texans recorded 412 total new yards on offense (138 rushing, 274 passing) and 29 total first downs (10 rushing, 16 passing, three by penalty). Houston added ten more points in the fourth quarter, on another Fairbairn field goal and one-yard rushing touchdown by Josh Ferguson.
The Texans first two drives ended in turnovers and began the second half with another drive abruptly cut short by an interception. Webb and the offense moved the ball well, but want to improve in a few key areas.
"Obviously, no turnovers," Webb said. "It's hard to come back when you turn the ball over, things like that. Continue to execute. Go back to practice and get better. Go back and watch film. You'll most definitely know when you watch film, get aggressive on your coaching, and you'll know exactly what you need to improve on."
The Texans will hold joint practices with the Detroit Lions next week, before hosting them in their second preseason game. Kickoff is set for Saturday, August 17 at 7 p.m. CT.
