No. 2 Pick C.J. Stroud Struggles in His Preseason Debut as the Texans Beat the Patriots 20-9

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — C.J. Stroud had a brief and at instances shaky NFL debut, Davis Mills threw a 6-yard landing cross to rookie Tank Dell and the Houston Texans beat the New England Patriots 20-9 within the groups’ preseason opener Thursday evening.

Stroud, drafted second general out of Ohio State, performed the primary two sequence and went 2 of 4 for 13 yards with an interception. He rushed twice for six yards and was sacked as soon as.

Mills — who began 15 video games final season — took over for Stroud and completed 9 of 12 for 99 yards whereas taking part in the steadiness of the opening half. His landing cross capped a seven-play, 62-yard drive that ended with Dell juggling and pulling in the score from his back.

Dalton Keene added a 1-yard landing run within the third quarter. Case Keenum had a 5-yard TD cross to Alex Bachman within the fourth. Dell ended his evening with 5 catches for 65 yards.

The Patriots gave most of their projected starters the evening off, together with quarterback Mac Jones.

Backup Bailey Zappe began in his place and went 12 of 14 for 79 yards, taking part in your complete first half and one sequence within the third quarter. His greatest throw of the evening was a 27-yard dart to Tyquan Thornton.

Rookie quarterback Malik Cunningham, who went undrafted out of Louisville, added a late 9-yard landing run. Patriots rookie cornerback Christian Gonzalez had three tackles and compelled a fumble.

Stroud is vying with Mills to be Houston’s starter. The Texans have principally break up first-team snaps between the 2 throughout coaching camp.

Mills, regardless of a report of simply 5-29-1 as a starter the previous two seasons, seemed rather more snug Thursday. In the meantime, Stroud spent most of his restricted snaps beneath practically fixed strain from the Patriots protection.

Beginning on his personal 25 following a game-opening touchback, Stroud got here out throwing and accomplished an 8-yard cross to Nico Collins on the Texans’ first play from scrimmage.

After just a few brief runs by Devin Singletary gave Houston a brand new set of downs, Stroud was dropped for a 15-yard sack when he was unable to keep away from the grasp of Daniel Ekuale.

Stroud was flushed out of the pocket and scrambled for 4 yards on the following play. Dealing with third-and-21, he dropped again to cross once more, throwing within the route of Dell. However Jalen Mills learn the play from the beginning, stepped in entrance and picked it off.

The Patriots took over on Houston’s 24. however wound up settling for a 44-yard Nick Folks discipline aim after their first drive of the evening was stalled by Denzel Perryman’s sack after three performs.

Stroud’s second sequence was principally a duplicate of his first.

He misfired on a throw to open the sequence, accomplished a brief cross to Steven Sims after which had one other brief scramble earlier than Houston was pressured to punt once more.

Gonzalez, the Patriots’ first-round choose, acquired a quick welcome to the NFL. He was setting as much as deal with Collins after his reception on the primary play from scrimmage. However Collins lowered his shoulder and despatched Gonzalez stumbling backward.

Defensive lineman Keion White, New England’s second-round choose, was all around the discipline tallying three tackles and a quarterback hit.

Texans linebacker Will Anderson, the No. 3 general pick of Alabama, additionally noticed his first NFL preseason motion registering a deal with.

Texans: FB Andrew Beck limped off the sphere with an obvious leg harm following the opening kickoff of the second half.

Patriots: DL Carl Davis walked off beneath his personal energy following a collision within the second quarter. … OL Kody Russey was shaken up early within the third quarter.

Texans: Host Miami for joint practices on Aug. 16 and 17 earlier than their preseason matchup Aug. 19.

Patriots: Journey to Inexperienced Bay for joint practices on Aug. 16 and 17 earlier than their Aug. 19 preseason recreation.

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