The Texans' third preseason game of 2024 is Saturday at home, and the Giants are the opponent. Houston's coming off a 20-12 triumph at Pittsburgh last week, while New York beat the Lions, 14-3. Here are five things to watch when the two squads kick off at noon CT inside NRG Stadium.
1) Line up everybody, line up – There's a good chance the offensive line that will start the season in Week 1 at Indianapolis will also start on Saturday against New York.
Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil returned to the practice field this week, and joined the rest of the "projected" starters up front. If the five-some, left to right, of Tunsil, Kenyon Green, Juice Scruggs, Shaq Mason and Tytus Howard plays, it will be another opportunity for improving cohesiveness.
"Definitely getting that chemistry down is going to be big for us going into the season," Scruggs said. "For us to finally be on the same field and be healthy was a good feeling, for sure."
That unit never got a chance to play together in a regular season game last year, and Mason was the only one who started every game on the offensive line from that quintet.
Head Coach DeMeco Ryans described what he wants to see from the offensive line in the run game.
"We have to stay attached on our block," Ryans said. "Especially on the front side. We have to stay attached and we have to finish better on the front side to get the runs going. I think a lot of our runs got stalled because we had guys penetrating in the back field and guys shooting gaps. We have to respond better to movement to get our run game going."
2) Maybe some Mixon? – Another notable name that was back on the practice fields this week was running back Joe Mixon. The veteran had been out since July, and third-year back Dameon Pierce started the first two preseason contests in his place.
Mixon's eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark in a season in four of the last six campaigns, and signed with Houston this March in free agency.
3) Stroud Time – Quarterback C.J. Stroud was on the field for six snaps in last week's preseason win, and he made the most of it on his final play that evening in Pittsburgh, when he connected with Tank Dell for a 34-yard touchdown pass.
He'll likely start again Saturday, and perhaps play a bit longer. Entering the second year of his NFL career, Stroud's bond on the field with his pass-catchers continues to strengthen.
"He has built connections with not only me, but with all the receivers," Dell said. "Him and Stefon [Diggs] have a good connection. Nico [Collins] of course has a good connection. I feel like when all of us get going, it is going to be great.
4) Debut of a Draft pick – Kamari Lassiter was also among the faces back at practice this week. Should he play, it would be his first game action as a professional.
The second-round pick out of Georgia, according to Defensive Coordinator Matt Burke, has shown the "aggressive mentality that we're looking for" through his first few months in Houston.
"He's all business-like and wants to work," Burke said.
Lassiter has held his own against the Texans talented stable of pass catchers in practices. Fellow rookie defensive back Calen Bullock has flashed at safety in the preseason, forcing a fumble against the Bears, and ranging over to nearly intercept a deep pass last week versus the Steelers.
"He'll continue to get better and that's the exciting thing about Calen," Ryans said. "He is still a young player and has a lot of room to grow but what he's shown us already and the consistency at which he's done it. I'm very excited to see him continue to flourish in our defense."
5) Home sweet home – It's the first NFL game in NRG Stadium since the runaway Wild Card playoff victory over the Browns in January. They'll host the Rams next Saturday, and the first regular-season game will be in Week 2 against the Bears.
After playing a neutral site game in Canton, Ohio two weeks ago, and then a road game at Pittsburgh, the Texans are happy to be back home.
"Definitely exciting," Scruggs said. "Get out there in front of the fans. I know they're excited to see us. Definitely always good though, being in NRG and come out and showcase our talent."
