The Houston Texans bested the Los Angeles Rams, 17-15, on Saturday afternoon at NRG Stadium to improve to 3-1 heading into roster cutdown day.
C.J. Stroud and the starters didn’t play. Most backups also rested since they had already locked up a spot on the active roster. Saturday was more so a final test for those on the bubble looking to guarantee a job for the next 17 weeks.
There were some surprises. Tim Boyle led the charge offensively for Houston, completing 19 of 28 passes for 142 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Running back Cam Akers put on a promising performance worthy of a roster spot, rushing for 53 yards on seven carries, including a 23-yarder just before halftime.
The defense wasn’t the same in turnover mode as it was in last week’s 28-10 win over the New York Giants, but Marcus Harris, Malik Fisher and each recorded a tackle for loss. D’Angelo Ross and Lonnie Johnson Jr. each recorded a pass breakup.
Here are the snap counts for every player that contributed to the Texans’ Week 3 preseason win.
#Texans snap counts, stats from final preseason game against #Rams @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/LVk6qZdszH
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) August 25, 2024
Offensive snaps: 70
Defensive snaps: 54
Special teams snaps: 23
It was an overall solid snap spread for the Texans’ roster with just about every healthy body getting field time. Jarrett Patterson, Kilian Zierer and Nick Broeker played all 70 offensive snaps. Boyle, who split reps with Case Keenum, played the entire second half and most of the second quarter.
Cornerback Marcus Bryant could have clinched a roster spot after playing 54 reps at the nickel position. Johnson played 94 percent of snaps at the safety, while Marcus Harris played 82 percent of reps.
Houston must trim down its roster by 4 p.m. on Tuesday. After being waived, the Texans will retain 17 players on the practice squad.
Zierer already has locked up a practice squad location since he is a part of the NFL’s international program.
