HOUSTON — C.J. Stroud threw a touchdown pass in limited work in his preseason debut to help the Houston Texans to a 20-3 win over the Carolina Panthers on Saturday.

The Houston Texans put together an impressive performance in their 2025 preseason debut at NRG Stadium, knocking off the Carolina Panthers 20-3.

Here's everything C.J. Stroud said following the Houston Texans' 20-3 preseason win over the Carolina Panthers on Saturday at NRG Stadium.

After two impressive seasons in the NFL, C.J. Stroud is gearing up for his third year with the Houston Texans. Following back-to-back postseason berths and second-round exits, the fans' expectations is for Stroud and Houston to build on that success.

Stroud completed six of eight passes for 44 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions in the Texans' 20-3 preseason win over the Panthers on Saturday afternoon. Stroud played the first two series, getting his first taste of running new coordinator Nick Caley's offense in game action.

Perhaps the Texans' biggest decision of this current era was backing out of a proposed trade with the Panthers and Bears in 2023.

Earlier in the week, the Houston Texans were hit with a heartbreaking injury to tight end Brevin Jordan, who went down with a season-ending knee injury during training camp practice, all less than a year removed from his previous ACL tear from his last campaign, limiting him to only two games played.