‘We got better,’ how Texans benefited from joint practice with Panthers, key observations

HOUSTON – C.J. Stroud delivered a strike over the middle to an accelerating Nico Collins, hitting the Texans’ Pro Bowl wide receiver in stride for a touchdown pass.

For Stroud and an overhauled offense facing an NFL opponent for the first time, albeit in a joint practice, it was a chance to test their competitive mettle against the Carolina Panthers.

Stroud started off fast, building a rhythm with a pair of first downs to Xavier Hutchinson and Jaylin Noel. He was later intercepted, though, in the end zone by Panthers corner Mike Jackson in an acrobatic pick.

Defensively, there were sacks and general disruption from Pro Bowl bookends Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter.

There were no fights, which was a point of emphasis from coach DeMeco Ryans and Panthers coach Dave Canales as they collaborated on a focused, safe practice plan. The closest thing to an altercation happened when Panthers safety Tre’Von Moehrig hit Hutchinson hard, angering the Texans. Stroud stepped in to break up the brief confrontation, pulling players back to the huddle to get back to work.

“I was really pleased with the way we practiced, the way the Panthers practiced,” Ryans said. “Thought we got productive work in, it’s what we set out to do on both sides. Everybody’s cooperative, working together and we were able to get out of it what we expected. The chance to go against different schemes, different players. It was really good work for us, offensively and defensively.

“Special teams were able to get some work. So, all three phases, we got better today. We improved and that’s what you set out to do joint practice, to improve and get better, and that’s what we did today. I expect every practice to be that way. Clean work, as professionals, that’s what we are. We know the effort it takes to step up is pretty hard, and it takes real athletes to do that.”

The practice was a reunion for Anderson with his Alabama college quarterback and friend Bryce Young, greeting the diminutive passer enthusiastically before practice.

“I was just telling Bryce how much I miss playing with him and missing his face every day,” Anderson said. “It just brought back so many memories. We was in the thick of it together in Alabama. Him on offense, me on defense. So, it was really good catching up with him.

“I’m super proud of him. I know he’s going to do great things this year. They’re looking good. He’s really commanding it over there and I’m happy for him.”

Anderson is excited to play in an actual game, starting Saturday with a noon preseason contest against the Panthers at NRG Stadium.

“Most definitely, it’s all about getting better,” Anderson said. “It’s all about competition and competing and really just getting your body primed for the season. What better way to go out and just have fun with your teammates. It was good value. It was just to see something different early on before we get to the season.”

Stroud was under some duress from the Panthers’ pass rush. He did end the practice with some rhythm on slants and threw a touchdown pass to slot Christian Kirk.

“It was good,” Stroud said. “It was good to see another scheme, another team and thought we did well. We moved the ball down the field, scored in the red zone, made some mistakes, but cleaned it up and had a good two minute drive to finish. So, I thought it was good.”

Observations and notes:

🏈 Tight end Cade Stover delivered a flattening block, upending Pro Bowl defensive tackle Derrick Brown. Brown thought he was headed into the backfield untouched, but that was by design by offensive coordinator Nick Caley and he never saw Stover coming. He felt it, though.

🏈 Hutchinson had a big day, drawing praise from Stroud and Ryans. Hutchinson is solidifying his roster outlook every day he stacks.

“He looks comfortable,” Stroud said. “He looks like he’s finding his own swag in the league. I think he looks great. He’s not falling on the ground every play, he’s staying up. He’s running great routes, catching the ball, getting YAC [yards after catch], reliable, knows all the plays, blocks well.

“I think he’s been great. He’s like a Swiss Army knife. He moves around and he’s getting confidence. I think that’s one thing that I can see him playing with from that last game we played last year to this camp was that confidence is up.”

🏈 The offensive line with Cam Robinson still watching from the side due to a leg injury, was comprised of LT Aireontae Ersery, LG Laken Tomlinson, C Jake Andrews, RG Ed Ingram, RTTytus Howard. Could this be the best five, even when Robinson returns? It’s an intriguing debate. If healthy, it’s hard to see Robinson sitting.

🏈Nick Chubb had some solid runs, when he had some holes to run through. Other times, he got stopped in his tracks when he tried to run into a wall.

🏈Defensive end Darrell Taylor brings some real juice off the edge as a pass rusher. He’s a factor in relief of Hunter and Anderson.

🏈 Noel’s run-after-catch ability showed up against the #Vikings It did again against Carolina , and he scored once on a throw from backup Davis Mills.

🏈 Xavier Legette caught a touchdown pass on rookie corner Jaylin Smith, who has had a good camp overall. This wasn’t his best day.

🏈 All-Pro Derek Stingley Jr., the Texans’ $90 million man, intercepted a Bryce Young pass intended for imposing rookie wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan. Stingley, if this was a game, could likely have returned i t for a touchdown. McMillan later caught a long pass behind Stingley. At 6-4, 219 with real field-stretching ability, McMillan looks primed for a big rookie season.

🏈 Hunter, Anderson, Mario Edwards Jr. and Tim Settle Jr. all had disruptive moments getting into the backfield.

🏈Look for the starters to get some work on both sides of the football against Carolina.

🏈 Not practicing: Cam Robinson (leg), C.J. Gardner-Johnson (knee, no brace, watched practice encouraging teammates), Jaylen Reed (knee sprain). Although activated, the Texans are following a disciplined plan for return to play for Christian Harris (calf), Dameon Pierce (quadriceps), Foley Fatukasi and Derek Barnett. They all returned to practice on a limited basis over the past week. None are expected to play in the preseason game..

🏈Retired Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith Sr., attended the workout and stayed afterward to talk ball with Texans slot receiver Christian Kirk.

The progress of the offensive line was on display, per Stroud, and the coordination of Nick Caley to create passing lanes.

“They did really good,” Stroud said. “I thought Nick ] did a good job of moving the pocket and switching up quick game to intermediate to deep to good play action. We ran the ball well.

“So, it’s not just about just dropping back four or five straight times. You got to help those guys out. Every defensive line is really good, and our offensive line is really good. They can hold up and we just got to help them out some. I think we did that good. But I thought they did great.”

Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com