Houston Texans linebacker Wade Woodaz (30) jumps in front of Las Vegas Raiders running back Mike Washington Jr. (30) to intercept a Fernando Mendoza pass and return it 80 yards for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL preseason football game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026.
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Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Shedrick Jackson (4) makes a catch against Houston Texans cornerback Stephen Hall (41) during the second half of an NFL preseason football game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026.
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Houston Texans fans cheer during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026.
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Houston Texans running back Owen Wright (42) is brought down by Las Vegas Raiders safety Devin Lafayette (40) during the second half of an NFL preseason football game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026.
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Houston Texans running back Owen Wright (42) runs the ball against the Las Vegas Raiders during the second half of an NFL preseason football game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026.
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Houston Texans quarterback Brett Rypien (16) is forced out of the pocket by Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Gary Smith III (75) during the second half of an NFL preseason football game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026.
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Houston Texans cornerback Brandon Codrington (17) is brought down by Las Vegas Raiders safety Devin Lafayette as he returns a kick during the second half of an NFL preseason football game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026.
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Houston Texans cornerback Brandon Codrington (17) stiff arms Las Vegas Raiders safety Devin Lafayette (40) as he returns a kick during the second half of an NFL preseason football game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026.
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Houston Texans cheer during the second half of an NFL preseason football game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026.
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The football rolls of the fingertips of Houston Texans wide receiver Josh Kelly (85) for an incomplete pass with Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Decamerion Richardson (25) defending during the second half of an NFL preseason football game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026.
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Houston Texans defensive tackle Dominic Bailey (73) reaches across to tackle Las Vegas Raiders running back Roman Hemby (37) during the second half of an NFL preseason football game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026.
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Las Vegas Raiders running back Dare Ogunbowale (32) is stopped by Houston Texans defensive tackle Kayden McDonald (93) and linebacker Aiden Fisher (59) during the second half of an NFL preseason football game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026.
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Las Vegas Raiders running back Dylan Laube (23) runs past Houston Texans cornerback Stephen Hall (41) for a 4-yard touchdown run during the second half of an NFL preseason football game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026.
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Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Gary Smith III (75) recovers a fumble by Houston Texans quarterback Brett Rypien (16) during the second half of an NFL preseason football game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026.
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Houston Texans wide receiver Josh Kelly (85) can’t come down with a catch against Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Hezekiah Masses (35) during the second half of an NFL preseason football game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026.
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Houston Texans wide receiver Josh Kelly (85) can’t come down with a catch against Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Hezekiah Masses (35) during the second half of an NFL preseason football game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026.
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Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Malik Benson (19) comes down with a reception against the Houston Texans during the first half of an NFL preseason football game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026.
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Houston Texans safety Jaylen Reed (23) stops Las Vegas Raiders tight end Ian Thomas (80) after a reception during the first half of an NFL preseason football game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026.
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Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans makes a call from the sidelines during the first half of an NFL preseason football game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026.
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Houston Texans defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (90) rushes as Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) reaches out to hand the ball off to running back Mike Washington Jr. (30) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026.
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Houston Texans safety Reed Blankenship (6) and cornerback Jaylin Smith (22) stop Las Vegas Raiders running back Mike Washington Jr. (30) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026.
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Houston Texans cornerback Jaylin Smith (22) tackles Las Vegas Raiders running back Mike Washington Jr. (30) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026.
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Houston Texans linebacker Wade Woodaz (30) runs past Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) as he returns an interception of a Mendoza pass for an 80-yard interception return for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL preseason football game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026.
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Houston Texans place kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn (15) kicks an extra point against the Las Vegas Raiders during the first half of an NFL preseason football game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026.
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Houston Texans running back Woody Marks (4) runs the ball against the Las Vegas Raiders during the first half of an NFL preseason football game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026.
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Houston Texans running back Woody Marks (4) celebrates his 20-yard touchdown run against the Las Vegas Raiders during the first half of an NFL preseason football game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026.
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Houston Texans running back Woody Marks (4) dives across the goal line past Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Tommy Eichenberg (44) on a 20-yard touchdown run during the first half of an NFL preseason football game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026.
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Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) scrambles out of the pocket against the Las Vegas Raiders during the first half of an NFL preseason football game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026.
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Houston Texans running back Woody Marks (4) is tripped up by Las Vegas Raiders safety Tristin McCollum (27) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026.
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Houston Texans quarterback Davis Mills (10) passes against the Las Vegas Raiders during the first half of an NFL preseason football game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026.
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Houston Texans quarterback Davis Mills (10) passes against the Las Vegas Raiders during the first half of an NFL preseason football game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026.
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Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans and quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) stand on the sidelines during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026.
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Houston Texans tight end Marlin Klein (83) makes a catch against the Las Vegas Raiders during the first half of an NFL preseason football game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026.
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Houston Texans wide receiver Jared Wayne (89) is brought down by Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Hezekiah Masses (35) on a reception during the first half of an NFL preseason football game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026.
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Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans calls his players to the sidelines during the first half of an NFL preseason football game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026.
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Houston Texans players celebrate an 80-yard interception return for a touchdown by Houston Texans linebacker Wade Woodaz during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026.
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Houston Texans linebacker Wade Woodaz (30) runs past Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) as he returns an interception of a Mendoza pass for an 80-yard interception return for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL preseason football game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026.
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Houston Texans running back Woody Marks (4) is hit by Las Vegas Raiders safety Tristin McCollum (27) on a run during the first half of an NFL preseason football game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026.
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Houston Texans running back Woody Marks (4) celebrates his 20-yard touchdown run against the Las Vegas Raiders during the first half of an NFL preseason football game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026.
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Houston Texans running back Woody Marks (4) dives across the goal line past Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Tommy Eichenberg (44) on a 20-yard touchdown run during the first half of an NFL preseason football game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026.
Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) passes against the Las Vegas Raiders during the first half of an NFL preseason football game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026.
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Houston Texans and Las Vegas Raiders jog onto the field before an NFL preseason football game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026.
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Houston Texans fans Karen and Michael Evans cheer along the concourse as the Gridiron Gang jogs by with Deep Steel Thunder before an NFL preseason football game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026.
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Houston Texans fans Karen and Michael Evans cheer along the concourse as the Gridiron Gang jogs by with Deep Steel Thunder before an NFL preseason football game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026.
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Houston Texans fan Cayden Maher dons a Toro temporary tattoo before an NFL preseason football game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026.
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Houston Texans Gridiron Gang cheer and interact with fans along the concourse before an NFL preseason football game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026.
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Houston Texans Gridiron Gang cheer and interact with fans along the concourse before an NFL preseason football game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026.
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Houston Texans fans cheer along the concourse as the Gridiron Gang jogs by with Deep Steel Thunder before an NFL preseason football game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026.
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Houston Texans fans watch warm ups before an NFL preseason football game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026.
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Houston Texans radio voice Marc Vandermeer does a pre-game video hit before an NFL preseason football game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026.
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The Houston Texans’ preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday was supposed to showcase all of their healthy starters for the first time since training camp began.
Both the first-team defense and offense were supposed to play.
Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans and quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) stand on the sidelines during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026.
Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle
But coach DeMeco Ryans pivoted at the last minute, opting to play only the starting offensive line and quarterback C.J. Stroud.
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It wasn’t necessarily an indictment of the other starters. Instead, it provided Ryans with a snapshot of what Stroud and the starting offensive line could do together after an offseason of much-needed change.
The results that mattered most were positive even though the Raiders won 22-20 on a late touchdown. The Texans’ first-team offense scored on its only drive and averaged 6.2 yards per play.
But what stood out most was the running game and how efficient it looked, although it came against the Raiders’ second-team defense.
The Texans ran for 37 yards on four carries on their first drive.
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And they did it with a new-look offensive line.
While Keylan Rutledge played center in the first preseason game last week against the Chargers and looked good doing it, the Texans moved him to left guard. They started Evan Brown at center, while Wyatt Teller, who had started at left guard for most of training camp until Tuesday’s joint practice with the Raiders, played with the second-team offense.
Marks still had plenty of holes to run through. He had runs of 20, 9, 8 and 6 yards. He also had a 1-yard loss, but it had little effect on the opening drive.
It was a great debut for Stroud, who was 4 of 6 for 27 yards, and for half of the first-team offense. Still, there are some interesting things to take away from Thursday’s game.
Wyatt Teller’s demotion
The fact that Teller was playing with the second-team offense is telling. The Texans apparently haven’t been happy with his play throughout training camp. He was first moved to the second team during the team’s joint practice with the Raiders.
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And Rutledge has since replaced him at left guard.
Teller losing his spot permanently wouldn’t be ideal. The Texans signed him to a two-year, $16 million contract with the expectation that he would start. He has been a starter throughout his career but struggled in his final season with Cleveland.
Teller played 10 snaps and allowed one sack Thursday. It was far from the performance he likely hoped for after being relegated to second-team duties.
What that means for his future is unclear. If Teller doesn’t end up as the starter, will the Texans attempt to trade him or keep him for depth?
Next week’s joint practice with the Panthers could help determine that.
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Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) throws a pass as he is chased by Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Hezekiah Masses (35) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026.
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Stroud didn’t look bothered
Much of the national conversation this offseason has centered on whether Stroud could regain his confidence after last year’s playoff performance when he threw four interceptions in a loss to the New England Patriots in the divisional round.
But Stroud showed Thursday that he never lost his confidence. He played under control and with ease, making all the right throws.
Though he didn’t have an explosive play — or the opportunity to make one — that’s not what the Texans were looking for. They wanted to see how well he would run the offense.
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The focus of Thursday’s game was running the football, which the Texans did. Stroud converted two third downs with passes to tight end Foster Moreau and wide receiver Jared Wayne.
This might be the last time he plays this preseason. Ryans said he didn’t want Stroud’s first time playing in a game this year to be the first week against the Bills.
At least the last image was a good one.
Houston Texans linebacker Wade Woodaz (30) returns a pass by Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza pass for an 80-yard touchdown return during the first half of an NFL preseason football game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026.
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Wade Woodaz flashes
After reviewing the film, Woodaz told the Chronicle he wasn’t pleased with his performance against the Chargers last week. He felt he was overthinking and reacting too quickly instead of playing within the defense.
On Thursday, he responded well. He intercepted No. 1 draft pick Fernando Mendoza in the first quarter and returned it 80 yards for a touchdown. It was arguably the biggest play of the game.
Azeez Al-Shaair, who was not playing, ran from the sideline to the end zone to celebrate with Woodaz. Ryans pumped his fist on the sideline and high-fived defensive coordinator Matt Burke.
Woodaz, whom the Texans selected in the fourth round of the draft, has been running with the first-team defense when it goes into its base 4-3 alignment. With injuries to Jake Hansen and E.J. Speed, he could see a lot of playing time this season, especially if he can make plays like that.
Still, he said, there was a lot he felt he left on the field.
Marlin Klein continuing to make plays
Klein was one of the stars of last week’s preseason game against the Chargers after catching a 31-yard pass, the game’s longest play.
This week, he followed it up with four catches for 31 yards. For the second consecutive week, he led the Texans in receiving yards and is starting to look like he’ll be a factor for Houston this season.
Klein, one of the Texans’ two second-round picks, initially was viewed as a project. But his athleticism and ability to block are standing out. He’s battling Foster Moreau for the second tight end spot behind Dalton Schultz.
And while Moreau has played well, too, it’s not far-fetched to suggest Klein could pass him on the depth chart, if he hasn’t already.
Who will replace Jayden Higgins?
Higgins was having a solid preseason before his ACL injury on Tuesday ended his season. He had become more of a focal point of the offense than he was as a rookie.
That’s why the injury was so devastating for those on the team. They knew how hard he had worked this offseason to put himself in that position.
“He was making plays, doing things that I had never seen him do before, playing physical,” Stroud said. “My thoughts and prayers are always with him. I’ve been talking to him as much as I can. But you can’t replace somebody like that. He’s a heck of a talent. Somebody who came into this league and made plays already. It sucks. It’s nothing good to say. We’ve got to try our best to rise up.”
Now the Texans must figure out how to replace his production. So far, they have not made a move, hoping one of their current receivers will step up. Otherwise, they could try to trade for one or wait until cutdown day to see who is available.
No one who played Thursday stood out. Jared Wayne had two catches for 13 yards. Justin Watson had one catch for 12 yards, and Lewis Bond had two catches for 12 yards.
Jaylin Noel, who recently returned from a hamstring injury, and Tank Dell, who is still limited in camp, have yet to play. Xavier Hutchinson seems like the logical next man up.
“I believe in myself 100 percent,” Hutchinson said. “If you go out there and you don’t think you can make plays, then you’re not going to make plays. But that’s not how I operate. I know I can go out there and I can make plays, and I’m excited to see myself make plays out there for the team.”