10 players who stood out in Texans' win vs. Panthers: Cubb, Smith shine for Houston

No one is going to call the Houston Texans Super Bowl favorites after a 20-3 victory in the preseason against the Carolina Panthers.

That doesn’t mean that the back-to-back AFC South champions don’t have anything to celebrate.

Behind a C.J. Stroud 6-yard touchdown pass to Nico Collins in the first quarter, the revamped offense under first-year play-caller Nick Caley took flight at NRG Stadium. Even Kedon Slovis and Davis Mills led scoring drives in the second and third quarter before a British Brooks 1-yard touchdown run sealed the deal in front of the hometown crowd.

“The goal we set out by playing the starters was just to see us go out and play real football. We haven’t done that, I believe, in getting real reps in games,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said Saturday afternoon. “It means a lot for our guys to be able to go out and be able to do that. I just wanted to see our guys to go out and play efficient, play fast and do the things we’ve been coaching the guys to do and execute.”

After next week’s preseason finale, the Texans must trim their roster down to 53 players. About 40 of the roster spots should be locked up heading into the joint practice with the Detroit Lions, so 13 spots are up for grabs. Some might come as a surprise simply based on great play in the preseason.

Here were the top 10 standouts from Saturday’s contest against the NFC South foe.

Aug 16, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans running back Nick Chubb (21) rushes for five yards against the Houston Texans in the first quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images

RB Nick Chubb

Chubb probably isn’t getting cut, but fans have wondered if the former Pro Bowler from Cleveland has any juice left in the tank. Asked and answered on Saturday as he totaled five carries for 25 yards and averaged 5.0 yards per play. Best of all, that physicality that made him a force with the Browns for seven years was on display as he was credited with forcing six broken tackles.

“Chubb did a really nice job playing physical, running behind his pads,” Ryans said. “I just like the way the whole team played a physical brand of football, the type of football I expect us to play.”

With Joe Mixon and Dameon Pierce still sidelined, Chubb is going to start the season off working with the first-team offense. Runs like the ones on Saturday might not lead him back to a 1,000-yard season, but it shows he’s still go something left in the tank.

Aug 16, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans running back British Brooks (44) celebrates with quarterback Graham Mertz (18) after scoring a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Carolina Panthers at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

RB British Brooks

Every play matters for Brooks, including the scoring drives. His 1-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter sealed the win, but it also showed his value as a fullback-type runner in the offense. Brooks, known for his lower-power and physical approach between the tackles, also made two tackles on special teams, so there’s upside to one of the more underappreciated parts of the game.

Right now, Jakob Johnson feels like the safe bet to make the team at fullback, but Brooks might push him down the pecking order if he can keep up the consistent work with the third-team offense.

Jan 18, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Houston Texans tight end Irv Smith Jr. (83) runs the ball against Kansas City Chiefs safety Justin Reid (20) during the 2025 AFC divisional round game at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images

TE Irv Smith Jr.

Brevin Jordan’s season-ending injury has opened the door for another tight end to make the roster behind Cade Stover and Dalton Schultz. Smith was the favorite to win the tight end No. 3 job entering Saturday and he might as well locked it up after the third quarter against Carolina.

The former second-round pick led the Texans with five receptions for 46 yards, which included were highlighted by a Kedon Slovis dump-off pass for 22 yards down the sidelines on third down. He’s also been a promising blocker in the run game, so there’s value to have him around for red zone opportunities.

Jul 24, 2025; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans tight end Luke Lachey (42) during training camp at Houston Methodist Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

TE Luke Lachey

Lachey isn’t close to being ready for first-team reps, but the Texans are pleased with how he’s played in two preseason outings. As a receiving threat, Lachey has been limited. On special teams, he made several reads that put him in position to make a play.

“Luke has done a nice job as a rookie coming in,” Ryans said. “He plays the game the right way. He’s tough, physical, plays with great hands, great catch radius. He does a really nice job.”

The Texans have options at tight end, including stashing the seventh-round Iowa product on the practice squad to begin the season. Between Smith and Lachey, the latter has the highest potential, so if the Texans see him expanding his role beyond 2026, he’s going to be a tough cut.

Jul 23, 2025; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans tackle Blake Fisher (57) during training camp at Houston Methodist Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

OT Blake Fisher

No, Fisher shouldn’t be starting Week 1 against Los Angeles with the task of having to slow down reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year Jared Verse in pass protection, but after last week’s unwatchable outing, it was a nice change. In 25 snaps, the second-round pick did not allow a single pressure from the right tackle spot. He also posted a 78.1 pass-blocking grade and 54.1 run-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus, each being at least 30 points higher from the week before.

“They’re playing together,” Ryans said. “That’s the main thing. They’re playing together. They’re communicating well. They’re picking up the pressures and stops really well. They’re playing as one. They’re resetting the line of scrimmage.”

Fisher should be Houston’s top swing tackle if Cam Robinson returns before the start of the regular season. That’s not a win when fans envisioned Fisher starting this season, but last week felt like he was on the verge of being cut one year into his NFL career.

Jul 23, 2025; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans guard Ed Ingram (69) during training camp at Houston Methodist Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

OL Ed Ingram

Another winner on the offensive line for a player who could be starting Week 1. With Tytus Howard shifting over to right tackle, the former Minnesota Vikings castaway has been the primary right guard. On Saturday, led all offensive linemen with a PFF pass-blocking grade of 84.6. Ingram also finished with a 74.7 run-blocking grade, which was lower than last week but still a passable grade.

“Ed’s continued to improve, his pass rush is being under control, playing better base, playing with his hands better, picking up the stunts and games better, I just like how he’s progressed,” Ryans said. “I think Cole [Popovich] has done a really good job with Ed, he’s done a great job. So, I expect him to just continue to improve and we’ll see where we end up.”

Aug 16, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver David Moore (83) runs with the ball after a reception as Houston Texans cornerback Jaylin Smith (30) attempts to make a tackle during the second quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

CB Jaylin Smith

Earlier in the week, Smith struggled to win his one-on-one battles in team drills while guarding Xavier Legette. The former first-round pick leaped over him in practice to secure a no-dobut touchdown in the team’s joint practice, but that was just the highlight of an underwhelming day for the former USC Trojan.

On Saturday, Smith was in the right place at the right time to pick off Jack Plummer and return it 30 yards for the Texans’ first takeaway. Multiple Texans defenders have raved about his ball-hawking skills, including 2024 interception leader Calen Bullock. That was certainly on display Saturday.

Aug 16, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans cornerback Damon Arnette (41) runs with the ball after making an interception during the fourth quarter against the Carolina Panthers at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

CB Damon Arnette

The former first-round pick is a long shot to make the active roster, but plays like Saturday at least should have him in line to be a difficult cut. In the fourth quarter, Arnette jumped a slant route perfectly to make a juggling interception deep in Carolina’s territory. Three plays later, Brooks ran in Houston’s nail in the coffin would come behind Brooks’ touchdown run.

Now again, Arnette will need another strong day to prove he’s worthy of a roster spot over longtime special teams standout D’Angelo Ross. Saturday wasn’t a perfect day for the former first-round pick, either. Arnette was penalized with a pass interference call on third down that gave Carolina’s offense a second chance.

In the end, you look for the game-changing moments to determine a player’s afternoon. The interception was a positive play, so focus on that rather than the extra set of downs that led to a missed field goal.

Aug 16, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Carolina Panthers guard Brady Christensen (70) blocks Houston Texans defensive end Solomon Byrd (50) in the second half at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images

DE Solomon Byrd

Right now, there’s one defensive end spot up for grabs. Byrd might still be on the outside looking in, but his lone sack and fumble recovery has caught the attention of the defensive line room.

Bryd, a former seventh-round pick and practice squad player, finished with four tackles, a tackle for loss, a sack and a fumble recovery on a strip caused by Arnette. Last week, he also finished with three tackles and three pressures.

There’s plenty to like about his potential after a successful close to 2024. He’ll need one more big game to earn the praise of a potential active player this fall.

This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans vs. Panthers: 10 biggest standout players in preseason victory

10 players who stood out in Texans’ win vs. Panthers: Cubb, Smith shine for Houston

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