In a promising start to his second NFL season, Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud connected with wide receiver Tank Dell for a touchdown, propelling the team to a 20-12 preseason victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Friday night.
Stroud, who did not play in last week's Hall of Fame game against Chicago, completed 2 of 4 passes for 41 yards in his limited time on the field. The 2023 No. 2 overall draft pick made an immediate impact, showcasing the poise that helped him throw for over 4,000 yards and 23 touchdowns last season. Stroud’s efforts were instrumental in leading the Texans to an AFC South championship and a wild-card round win over Cleveland.
Reflecting on his preseason debut, Stroud emphasized the importance of maximizing his opportunities. "With limited plays, it's crucial to execute at a high level. I felt that today, focusing on precision and playing instinctively," Stroud said.
After a slow start that included a three-and-out, Stroud quickly found his rhythm. On a three-play series, he delivered a perfectly timed pass to Dell, who navigated through missed tackles to score a 34-yard touchdown. Dell, who suffered a season-ending leg injury last year and was also injured in a Florida restaurant shooting during the offseason, made a triumphant return to the field.
Stroud expressed admiration for Dell’s resilience, stating, "It's incredible to see what he’s overcome. For him to come back and make a play like that is truly special."
On the other side, Pittsburgh's Justin Fields completed 5 of 6 passes for 67 yards but faced challenges as the Steelers’ offense sputtered. Fields, acquired from Chicago for a conditional sixth-round pick in 2025, was sacked twice and fumbled twice, stalling promising drives.
"We kept making mistakes that cost us," Fields remarked. "We know we can perform better."
Pittsburgh's quarterback depth chart has seen significant changes, with Fields taking the helm after the team traded Kenny Pickett and signed veteran Russell Wilson. Wilson, dealing with a calf injury, did not play in Friday’s game.
Backup quarterback Kyle Allen led Pittsburgh to the Texans' goal line in the second quarter but couldn’t convert, missing an open Calvin Austin III in the end zone on fourth down. Allen completed 17 of 23 passes for 193 yards, including a touchdown pass to Connor Heyward, but also threw a late interception.
The Texans extended their lead in the second quarter after Pittsburgh’s Quez Watkins muffed a punt. Houston capitalized on the mistake, with running back Dare Ogunbowale finishing the drive with a 4-yard touchdown run.
Defensively, Houston's recent acquisition, Danielle Hunter, made his presence felt. Hunter, signed to a two-year, $49 million contract after a stellar season with the Minnesota Vikings, recorded two tackles, a sack, and two quarterback pressures in limited action. Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans praised Hunter’s disruptive play, noting, "Danielle showed exactly why we brought him here. He was a force up front, and that’s the kind of impact we need."
As the Texans prepare for the upcoming season, Stroud’s strong preseason performance and the return of key players like Dell and Hunter signal a team ready to build on last year's success.
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