Tyrann Mathieu admits he may have been overly enthusiastic about his first game as a Texan. After two preseason games without a single play, the All-Pro safety suited up with the starting defense on Saturday against the Los Angeles Rams.
"I was ecstatic, probably too excited because I was on a pitch count but it was fun to just get out there," Mathieu said. "Obviously, my teammates made some plays so it was smooth."
It was just eight plays, according to Mathieu, but just enough to knock off the rust after not playing since last season with the Arizona Cardinals. With no Jared Goff or Todd Gurley playing for the Rams, most of Houston's defensive starters were also off the field in the first quarter, after just three series.
Mathieu, who has been healthy all offseason, has been a full participant in training camp with starters like J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney on the field. He also had reps against the San Francisco 49ers during the Texans two days of joint practice last week, although Bill O'Brien rested his defensive starters for the preseason game between the two teams.
With the Texans fourth and final preseason game just days away, the starters will now begin focusing their attention on preparing for the regular season opener at New England. Mathieu, a six-year veteran, will be facing Tom Brady for the first time in his NFL career.
"(I'll) just watch a ton of film, see if it helps me," Mathieu said. "But I've got a tough one with Brady coming up so we'll focus on that, prepare as hard as we could."
The (2-1) Texans fell 21-20 to the Rams in the loss and will host the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday in their fourth and final preseason game.
The Houston Texans are checked in, locked in and ready to take on the Los Angeles Rams.
