In his preseason debut, C.J. Stroud threw a touchdown pass to Tank Dell, aiding the Houston Texans in a 20-12 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Friday night. Stroud, who missed the Hall of Fame game, completed 2 of 4 passes for 41 yards, showcasing his skills as the No. 2 overall pick in 2023. Last season, Stroud threw for 4,108 yards and 23 touchdowns, leading the Texans to the AFC South championship and a playoff win over Cleveland.
Following a three-and-out, Stroud orchestrated a three-play series that resulted in a touchdown. He connected with Dell for a 34-yard score, with Dell amassing 708 receiving yards before an injury ended his last season prematurely. Justin Fields played for the Steelers, finishing 5 of 6 for 67 yards but was sacked twice and experienced two fumbles during his time on the field.
In the second quarter, QB Kyle Allen led Pittsburgh inside the 5-yard line but failed to score on four attempts. Allen’s night concluded with a 17 of 23 performance for 193 yards, including a touchdown pass to Connor Heyward. Houston scored its second touchdown after a punt mishap by Pittsburgh’s Quez Watkins, leading to a Dare Ogunbowale 4-yard touchdown run.
Among notable performances was Houston’s defensive end Danielle Hunter, who made an impact with two tackles, a sack, and two quarterback pressures in two series. Hunter, signed to a lucrative contract after a standout season with Minnesota, is expected to bolster Houston’s defensive line alongside Will Anderson Jr.
Pittsburgh made roster moves, placing Markus Golden on the reserved/retired list after a brief stint with the team. Golden, who notched four sacks last season, decided to retire after nine NFL seasons. The Steelers also activated RB/KR Cordarrelle Patterson, a four-time All-Pro returner, to the active roster.
Injuries were part of the game, with Pittsburgh’s Keeanu Benton exiting the match due to an eye injury. Looking ahead, Houston will host the New York Giants, while Pittsburgh will face Buffalo in their upcoming preseason games.
