Live Updates: Texans vs. Saints Preseason
HOUSTON — The Houston Texans are 29 days away from the start of the 2022 campaign. But Saturday night, the Texans will have their first dress rehearsal during a preseason showdown against the New Orleans Saints at NRG Stadium.
According to coach Lovie Smith, second-year quarterback, Davis Mills will play a few drives. But rookie defensive back Derek Stingley jr. will not be active.
"Some of the players won't play, but the majority will," Smith said following practice on Thursday. "We have a play count that we would like to get for, as you watch the guys play. There's guys that we feel like we need to see finish plays. I'm excited about that."
Keep it locked-in with Texans Daily.com, as we'll be providing live updates for today's matchup.
1st Quarter
The Texans received the opening kickoff.
Tremon Smith was the starting kick returning who rushed for 25 yards. The Texans' first play of the game was a Mills' hand-off to Marlon Mack for a loss of one. After back-to-back completions for no gain, the Texans had a three-and-out.
change of possession.
Saints were able to move the ball downfield following a 15-yard completion between quarterback Andy Dalton and Tre'Quan Smith. A few players later, Dalton connected with Marquez Callaway for 19 yards.
After Dalton rushed for six yards, the veteran quarterback connected with running back Dwayne Washington for a nine-yard touchdown. Saints lead the Texans 7-0.
change of possession.
Mack rushed for seven yards, but a holding call by offensive lineman Justin McCray led to a 10-yard penalty. Two short gains by Mack led to Mills finding running back Dare Ogunbowale for seven yards. But not enough for a first down.
change of possession.
Saints made a quarterback change with second-year prospect Ian Book replacing Dalton. Book threw an interception to Texans' defensive back Tremon Smith.
change of possession.
Veteran quarterback Jeff Driskel replaced Mills at the 2:51 mark of the first half. Following Smith's interception, the Texans went three-and-out. Driskel did connect with wide receiver Chris Moore for 10 yards, but an offensive pass interference call pushed the Texans back to the Saints' 43.
Ka'imi Fairbairn connected on a 49-yard field goal to bring the first quarter score to 7-3 Saints.
change of possession.
2nd Quarter
Texans defensive end Ogbonnia Okoronkwo recovered a fumbled snap by the Saints.
change of possession.
Rookie running back Dameon Pierce rushed for 20 yards to pick up a first down for the Texans. After Pierce picked up six more yards, Driskel rushed for five yards to put the Texans at first-and-goal.
Two plays later, Driskel connected with wide receiver Jalen Camp for a four-yard touchdown. Texans took the lead 10-7 over the Saints.
change of possession.
The Saints could not get anything going on the offensive side of the ball, which resulted in a three-and-out.
change of possession.
Pierce got things going for the Texans with a gain of nine yards. Following Driskel's pass to wideout Phillip Dorsett, he later found Moore for 15 yards. He would later throw an interception to Saints linebacker Chase Hansen.
change of possession.
Running back Tony Jones Jr. helped the Saints find some success on the offensive side of the ball. He recorded 13 yards following a pass from Book to put New Orleans on Houston's 42.
Book attempted a touchdown pass to wideout Tre'Quan Smith, but Tremon Smith recorded the pass breakup. Saints elected for a 23-yard field to tie the game at 10-10 against the Texans.
change of possession.
Outside of Driskel's five-yard connection to running back Royce Freeman, the Texans recorded another three-and-out.
change of possession.
The Texans' defense did not allow the Saints to get anything going on offense. Houston recorded three sacks in a row in the order of Thomas Booker, Okoronkwo and Derek Rivers. Three-and-out for the Saints.
change of possession.
Driskel connected with Moore for 10 yards to set up a 59-yard field goal attempt. Fairbairn's attempt was no good for Houston.
End of the half. Texans 10 Saints 10
3rd Quarter
Texans' defense lineman Kurt Hinish recorded the fourth sack of the game on third-and-fourth. Saints record another three-and-out.
change of possession.
The Texans were not able to get anything going on the offensive side of the ball, three-and-out for Houston.
change of possession.
Texans' safety M.J. Stewart recorded a nice tackle for loss following Book's completion to running back Devine Ozigbo, three-and-out for the Saints.
change of possession.
The Texans found little success on their latest possession, which resulted in another punt.
change of possession.
Book finally got something going for the Saints on offense. He connected with wide receiver Da'Jean Dixon for a gain of 17 yards. Houston's pass rush would go on to force Brook to make back-to-back decisions while in the pocket.
change of possession.
Driskel threw his second interception of the game. He was targeting wide receiver, Chad Beebe.
change of possession.
4th Quarter
Book began the final quarter with a 10-yard gain for the Saints. The Saints failed to do anything with the great field position. Saints did convert on a 36-yard field goal to take a 13-10 lead.
change of possession.
Another three-and-out for the Texans.
change of possession.
Book put together back-to-back great passes. He connected with wideouts Kevin White and Deonte Harty for a combined 38 yards. But the Saints' fumbled at the goal line, which was recovered by Fabian Moreau.
change of possession.
Driskel threw his third interception of the game.
change of possession.
After Book's short five-yard pass to wide receiver Kirk Merritt, the Saints rushed the ball three times with Smith to start running out the clock.
change of possession.
Driskel had one of his most impressive plays of the night by connecting with Camp on a 49-yard pass attempt. Driskel then threw a touchdown pass to Johnny Johnson III. Texans took a late 17-13 lead over the Saints.
change of possession.
New Orleans did nothing in the last few seconds of the game. Texans win 17-13 over the Saints.
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