The Houston Texans close out the preseason Friday night against the Carolina Panthers, but fans should not expect to see C.J. Stroud or the rest of the team's top names on the field. Head coach DeMeco Ryans confirmed the Texans will sit their starters in the preseason finale, turning this game into one final audition for players fighting to make the 53-man roster. After a full week of joint work against Carolina, Houston appears comfortable letting the starters shift their focus toward Week 1.
That doesn't mean Friday night is meaningless. The final preseason game is where depth charts get settled, roster bubble players make their last push, and young guys try to give coaches one more reason to keep them around. For Texans fans, it's also one last chance to see where the back end of the roster stands before cutdown day and the real season arrives. The stars can wait, but with roster spots on the line, there should still be plenty of urgency in Charlotte.
The Texans' final preseason game kicks off at 6:00 p.m. CDT Friday evening, and fans here in Houston can tune in with Sling TV.
What: Houston Texans at Carolina Panthers - Preseason Game
When: Friday, August 28, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. CDT
#final
That doesn't mean Friday night is meaningless. The final preseason game is where depth charts get settled, roster bubble players make their last push, and young guys try to give coaches one more reason to keep them around. For Texans fans, it's also one last chance to see where the back end of the roster stands before cutdown day and the real season arrives. The stars can wait, but with roster spots on the line, there should still be plenty of urgency in Charlotte.
The Texans' final preseason game kicks off at 6:00 p.m. CDT Friday evening, and fans here in Houston can tune in with Sling TV.
What: Houston Texans at Carolina Panthers - Preseason Game
When: Friday, August 28, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. CDT
#final
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