The Houston Texans capped off a solid, undefeated, preseason with a 28-17 victory over the Dallas Cowboys.
Backup quarterback Tom Savage, threw one touchdown completing 12 of 18 passes for 119 yards. Savage said of his development, “I think just getting the ball out of your hand, that’s where I feel like I’ve improved the most but still there’s a lot of things I can work on. I took some leaps from last year, but it’s part of the game, you just got to keep improving and that’s just what some of these coaches want to see.”
While starting running back Lamar Miller did not play, Kenny Hilliard and Akeem Hunt showed some signs of life in the running game. Despite Hunt’s efforts over the course of the preseason rushing 86 yards off of 30 carries and two touchdowns, he was cut from the active roster. The running back was approached by the Chicago Bears, New Orleans Saints, and Kansas City Chiefs among others for a spot on their respective practice-squads. Hunt declined and decided to rejoin the Texans practice squad, “I just felt like this was home. It felt like a family. I have a foundation with the playbook. I wanted to come back here…I just want to be a great teammate whether it’s on the practice squad or on the active roster.”
Veteran wide receiver Cecil Shorts who was in competition this preseason with a young, hungry receiving corps was also released from the Texans. Of the news, Shorts said, “At this point of time in my career, there’s no worrying. You work your butt off and whatever happens…happens.”
Looking forward to the regular season, three-time Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt passed a physical after undergoing a herniated disc surgery and returned to practice Monday morning. When asked whether Watt would play in the home opener against the Chicago Bears, Coach Bill O Brien said, “I would say that he would play.”
Watt expressed earlier in the preseason his desire to play week one saying, “I’ve never missed a game in my five years. In 2012, I missed all of training camp and didn’t have a problem there. I don’t see this being a problem. I don’t plan on missing my first game now, but I can’t promise it. I’m going to do everything I can.’’
The Houston Texans will face the Chicago Bears in their season opener on Sunday September 11. Here’s hoping the Texans can keep the winning momentum going during the regular season.