When the Texans officially launch the preseason Thursday night against the Los Angeles Chargers, they'll follow a similar approach they've followed from previous years.
That means starting quarterback C.J. Stroud, running backs David Montgomery and Woody Marks, wide receiver Nico Collins and other key offensive skill players won't play in this preseason opener at Reliant Stadium, per league sources, along with the starting defense and some key veteran backups. That means that defensive ends Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter, defensive tackles Sheldon Rankins and Tommy Togiai, linebackers Azeez Al-Shaair and Henry To'oTo'o and defensive backs Derek Stingley Jr., Kamari Lassiter, Calen Bullock, Reed Blankenship and Jalen Pitre will all be held out against the Chargers.
It's considered unlikely that three-time Pro Bowl defensive end Jadeveon Clowney would play in the preseason game.
The starting offensive line, including rookie first-round draft pick and first-string center Keylan Rutledge, are expected to start and play at least one series, per sources, and the Texans are expected to start backup Davis Mills at quarterback and rookie running back Noah Whittington.
Once Mills is subbed out, third quarterback Graham Mertz is expected to play the majority of the game.
Among the injured players sidelined or coming back from injuries slated to miss this game: running backs Jawhar Jordan (strained hip flexor) and British Brooks (broken hand, surgery), linebacker Jake Hansen (ankle), tight end Brevin Jordan (knee), wide receiver Tank Dell (major knee injury two years ago), safety M.J. Stewart (tore quadriceps tendon last year) and linebacker E.J. Speed (season-ending torn quadriceps tendon this year.
"During this game against the Chargers we'll sit out a handful of guys that have been designated to sit out for this game," Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. "The other guys will get a ton of the reps."
Photo: Adam Glanzman / Getty Images Sport / Getty Images
A year ago, in the preseason opener against the Minnesota Vikings, the Texans started Mills at quarterback along with wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson, running back Dare Ogunbowale, fullback Jakob Johnson tight end Cade Stover, offensive linemen Aireontae Ersery, Juice Scruggs, Jake Andrews, Ed Ingram and Blake Fisher while resting veterans Tytus Howard, Cam Robinson and Laken Tomlinson.
On defense, the Texans started defensiv ends Solomon Byrd and Darrell Taylor, defensive tackles Tim Settle Jr. and Togiai, Hansen and Speed at linebacker, Jaylin Smith and D'Angelo Ross at corner and Stewart and Russ Yeast at safety.
Regardless of who's on the field, Ryans expects a high standard of intensity, focus, energy and discipline as they carry out their assignments.
The Texans have Super Bowl ambitions after making it to the playoffs each of the past three seasons under Ryans' leadership, falling in the divisional round each year where the franchise is 0-7 all-time.
"The main thing I look for in our first game, our first time out for 2026 is, are we displaying our play style?" Ryans said. "That's the main thing I want to see. No matter who you are, when you touch the field, are you repping the Texans brand? That's what I want to see. Guys playing fast, playing relentless and finishing. That's what I want to see. Then also, when we dive into the fine details of it, who can you count on to execute?
"When the lights are on, in game time, are guys going to be consistent and are they going to take the same approach they've been taking over the past several weeks of how we've been prepping the guys, how they've been working. Can they go out and perform under the lights, under a little bit more stress, how do guys operate at a high level? That's what I'm looking for."
Photo: Tim Warner / Getty Images Sport / Getty Images
Here are players to watch versus the Chargers:
Keylan Rutledge
Everyone is eager to see Rutledge compete against another NFL team, especially after his run of confrontations and bruising blocks against the Texans' top-ranked defense.
His latest scrap: a temper flare-up with All-Pro defensive end Will Anderson Jr. that was preceded by him tangling with Danielle Hunter, Ali Gaye and Kayden McDonald.
What's obvious: There's a new sheriff in town with the arrival of Rutledge, a feisty competitor his college coach Brent Key called an 'absolute psycho.'
"You better be careful there, you're messing with Will Anderson," Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said with a laugh. "I love it. I love the scrappiness of Keylan. His mindset is what I love. He's not backing down from anybody, as he should. I expect that from every player on our team. We're not backing down from anybody, we know we're not physically fighting, but there's always chippiness in our game because it's a tough, physical, violent game that we play and there's going to be some chippiness that goes on.
"We just have to make sure we're smart, especially in game. We have to make sure we're smart and make sure we're not that second guy to cause the team to hurt ourselves and then coach is going to be really upset."
An NFC West Scout who scouted Rutledge at the Senior Bowl all-star game, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that Rutledge is a "Great guy, great football player, what you want to see from a young offensive lineman and a total d---- on the field, he doesn't mess around. He's all business."
Kayden McDonald
Lined up low to the ground, Kayden McDonald fired across the line of scrimmage out of his three-point stance.
His charge was powerful, and effective. The Texans rookie defensive tackle, regarded as the top run-stopping interior lineman in the draft, reached his destination as he penetrated the backfield.
That’s the kind of strength and technique the Texans expect and anticipate from McDonald during his first NFL season. Drafted in the second round, the Big Ten Conference Defensive Lineman of the Year from Ohio State is already making a strong impression on the coaching staff.
“Kayden has really shown how strong he is," Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. "He's probably one of the stronger guys that we have. When you see him doing drills, he's knocking the coaches back a lot. Coaches are trying to hold bags and be tough guys, but Kayden is doing a great job of showing the strength that he has. Now it’s, ‘Can he pull it all in and consistently play with the proper hand placement, the proper footwork every single rep?’”
Now that he’s in the NFL, McDonald is determined to make an immediate impact as he’s set his ambitions on winning a Super Bowl and becoming an NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in his first season.
The Texans targeted McDonald for a specific purpose: to bolster the middle of the top-ranked defense in the NFL as a big, strong anchor.
They regard him as the best run-stopping defensive tackle in this draft class.
“I just bring power, a powerful guy to come in and help them,” McDonald said. “Focusing on what I can do and the things I need to attack on, that I need to work on, build of those and let everything else handle itself.”
Noah Whittington
A former Oregon standout, Whittington was signed to a three-year, $3.12 million deal after going undrafted. That includes $267,500 total guaranteed with a $20,000 signing bonus and $247,500 of his base salary guaranteed.
Whittington has displayed vision, explosiveness and some power since the spring.
He was an honorable-mention All-Big Ten Conference selection. The Western Kentucky transfer rushed for 829 yards last season and six touchdowns. He averaged 6.4 yards per play. He finished his college career with 2,950 rushing yards and 21 touchdown runs.
Whittington has a prime opportunity with running backs Jawhar Jordan and British Brooks sidelined with injuries.
"Noah seems to make a play every day," Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. "He has a really good feel for pressing blocks and his vision. Just knowing when to cut, when to take the ball outside, when to make a cut back up inside.
"I see a guy who plays with really great vision, great feel at the running back spot. When you see guys that are lower on the depth chart in these preseason games, some of those running backs are going to shine. They're going to make some nice plays. Noah won't surprise me."
Wade Woodaz and Marte Mapu
A fourth-round draft pick from Clemson, Woodaz fits the prototype at linebacker. He's a 6-foot-3, 236-pound converted safety who's run the 40-yard dash in 4.52 seconds.
Woodaz is competing for the third linebacker spot vacated by E.J. Speed. He has shown more decisiveness and faster reactions over the past week. Woodaz recorded 217 career tackles at Clemson with 28 1/2 tackles for losses, nine sacks, three interceptions, one touchdown, four forced fumbles and a blocked punt.
"I would say defenses are much more athletic on the second level, especially linebackers," Texans tight end Dalton Schultz said. "Even the guys that came before us, you have your DeMeco types, where it's just 250 haymakers. Fill the A-gap, fill the A-gap. Bu,t now, I mean now you have guys like the rookie Wade, who's as big as us, but is also just as athletic. Guys are much more pass-game coverage-focused. Way more athletic than a lot of the guys that were kind of in the league when I was maybe a rookie."
Acquired in a trade from the New England Patriots, Mapu has also played safety and is a former third-round draft pick and Big Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Year from Sacramento State.
The Texans like Mapu's versatility and athleticism.
"Another guy with a safety background, he's got great length, smooth athlete," Burke said. "Has been a really good fit for us in terms of the profile we seek. Uses his length to close windows in zones, has coverage from his DB background, excited to see him keep growing."
Marlin Klein
A 6-foot-6, 250-pound second-round tight end from Michigan, Klein is a native of Germany who had to pay his dues behind standout tight ends for the Wolverines. That includes Chicago Bears tight end Colston Loveland.
Klein has caught touchdown passes from C.J. Stroud in recent days, including twice Monday.
The Texans are encouraged by Klein's size, catch radius, speed and improving blocking ability.
"Marlin has progressed every single day," Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. "His trajectory is definitely pointing up. Seeing him in the pass game, you guys have seen him make a lot of plays out here in the passing game. He's still learning a lot. We're throwing a lot at him, but for a rookie to be where he is at this point in camp, I'm very encouraged.
"I'm very pleased with where he is and I'm excited to see him to continue to progress. He's done a great job, I'm excited. At the line of scrimmage, he's done a good job and also in the passing game, you see a guy, as I mentioned before, he can be a big threat in the passing game. He's an exciting young player to watch for this year.”
Collin Wright
Since the spring, Wright has made multiple plays as he makes a strong push to make the Texans' 53-man roster.
He's competing with Tremon Smith for the fourth corner spot behind starters Derek Stingley Jr. and Kamari Lassiter and third corner Jaylin Smith.
An undrafted free agent corner from Stanford and a Manvel graduate, Wright has made a ton of plays since the start of training camp. There has been a steady drumbeat of passes defenses, interceptions as he has applied tight coverage.
"It's been awesome," Wright said. "I'm so happy to be home. I have my family come out every day. I'm blessed to be able to play for such a great defense, learn from great coaches, and obviously be in one of the best rooms in the league. It's been awesome to come back home and learn and obviously get better as a player. It's cool to be back home. My family, they're Texans fans my entire life. So, it's full circle for them, just like it is for me being out here."
It has been a steady climb for Wright since signing with the Texans after the NFL draft.
“He has made a play on the ball every day he's been here from the spring until now," Texans defensive coordinator Matt Burke said. "To be honest with you, he's just always around the ball. Very sharp kid, very intelligent, so kind of on his business in terms of where he needs to be.
"There are not a lot of mental errors. He's kind of where he's supposed to be and he's showing up around the ball. You do that, you're going to earn opportunities to keep showing us if you can do it. I’m very happy with where he's been so far.”
A three-year starter at Stanford, Wright is a former all-district selection who intercepted a combined four passes and missed just 7.2 percent of his tackles during the past two seasons.
"He finds a way to get his hands on the ball in some type of fashion," Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. "Whether he's picking the ball, whether he's playing sticky coverage and attacking the ball, he's done a great job."
Lewis Bond
A sixth-round pick from Boston College, Bond is a rookie wide receiver who's the all-time leader in school history for catches.
Bond played for former Texans coach Bill O’Brien and caught 88 passes for 993 yards and one touchdown last season.
He has caught several touchdown passes since the start of camp. Bond has displayed sound hands and an ability to create separation. To earn a roster spot, he'll need to beat out Justin Watson and show some toughness on special teams.
"Lewis has come in and he's made a lot of wild plays," Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. "Going back to rookie minicamp, OTAs, Lewis is a guy who stood out, making a lot of great catches, a lot of third-down wins. He made a nice one-on-one play yesterday, making a nice overhead catch. He's doing a really good job.
"I’m excited to see him continue to flourish. He is one of those camp risers this year that's really showcasing his talent and making a name for himself. We'll see how he continues to grow but I'm excited with what I've seen so far just like you guys."
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL insider for KPRC 2 and Sports Talk 790. His YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@AaronWilsonSport