The Day After the Day After: Houston Texans lose 16-13 at Carolina Panthers to end their preseason

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - AUGUST 26: Quarterback C.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans takes part in drills during a joint practice with the Carolina Panthers at Carolina Panthers Practice Fields on August 26, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Matt Kelley/Getty Images) | Getty Images Where the value is: The preseason game counts for far less now than in the past. Those looking for clues about the potential fortunes of a franchise should look at the joint practices. The reports coming out of the Carolina/Houston sessions showcased a dominant Houston defense, to a degree that Carolina coach Dave Canales lost track of basic counting . It also noted that the offense, with Stroud, Collins, and Montgomery, could move at-will against a competent Carolina defense. Reports from other joint practices seemed to validate the optimistic reports about Houston's offense. Granted, Houston's preseason slate didn't include the top tier contenders, but the Panthers were a playoff team last season and Las Vegas improved from whatever last year was. Overall, while there is not much to say about the games themselves, the practices auger well.

HOUSTON, TEXAS - JUNE 02: Jaylin Noel #13 of the Houston Texans and Jayden Higgins #81 arrive during OTA Offseason Workouts at Houston Methodist Training Center on June 02, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) | Getty Images The Injury Demons have a new Houston home: For any fans of the Houston Astros between 2023-2025, you might have wondered if someone unleashed an ancient curse that sprang forth demons that would ravage the team with injuries. The butchers' bill for the Astros was quite painful and extensive. In 2026, the injury demons seem to have left them alone. They just moved to a different part of the city. While there have been no shortage of dings, scraps and bruises as Texans' players get into game shape, there has been a rash of rather substantial injuries. You had the first preseason game when QB3 Graham Martz suffered a season-ending ACL tear in game action. The following week of practice saw Houston lose a significant offensive weapon, as WR Jayden Higgins tore his ACL. Then Dylan Horton was lost due to a torn Achilles. Just this past week, major free agent pick-up OT Braden Smith left practice in a cart due to a foot injury. Joining him for medical examination would be backup DL Ali Gaye, who was brought in to cover for Horton. Throw less severe, but no less disruptive injuries to Jaylen Noel (hamstring) and Wade Woodaz (thumb), and the Texans are dealing with some roster attrition.

This has already forced emergencies moves by the front office. The loss of Higgins and Noel, along with the slow reintegration of Tank Dell, drove Houston to sign two veteran WRs in Sterling Shepard and Zay Jones, along with trading for Kayshon Boutte from New England, at the cost of Jaylen Reed and a 2028 7 th round pick. While Smith won't miss as much time as his last season with the Colts, he will not return to the line for a few weeks. Higgins was supposed to provide Stroud another receiving weapon. Horton and Gaye were not projected starters, but both figured to see time as part of the DL rotation. We are not talking cursed-by-an-electric-substation 49ers-level of injury, but this is not great. It is early and players like Smith, Noel and Woodaz should be back, but for a team with Super Bowl aspirations, this not how you want to break camp.