The Houston Texans wrapped up their preseason with a convincing 26-7 victory over the Detroit Lions, a performance that left head coach DeMeco Ryans encouraged by his young roster. Across the field, Lions coach Dan Campbell took the setback in stride, reminding reporters that the preseason is about evaluation, not results.
Rookie quarterback Graham Mertz delivered the highlight of the night for Houston, showing poise in his most extended action of the summer. The rookie completed 14 of 16 passes for 145 yards, added 20 yards on the ground, and led multiple scoring drives. Ryans praised the 23-year-old’s maturity.
“I’m really proud of Graham with the way he commanded the offense,” Ryans said. “He was under control, he played with great energy and great communication. He moved the ball up and down the field, and that’s exactly what you want to see from a young quarterback.”
Beyond Mertz, the Texans’ defense showcased its depth by forcing turnovers and limiting Detroit’s backup offense. Still, Ryans made it clear that the focus now shifts to trimming the roster down to 53 players.
“It’s important for me to get input from everyone — our position coaches, special teams coaches, we’re all in this together,” Ryans explained. “Ultimately, the decision will come down between myself and Nick [Caserio]. It won’t be a rash decision … Whoever those 53 guys are, we’re going to have 53 tough guys who are mentally and physically ready to hit the season running.”
On the other sideline, the Lions struggled to generate momentum with their reserves, a concern given ongoing battles for roster spots at wide receiver and along the defensive line. Campbell, however, downplayed the final score and emphasized the long view.
“It’s about finding out who can help us when the games count,” Campbell said. “You never want to lose, but this is the time to see who responds when things aren’t going their way. That’s what we’ll take from this.”
For Houston, the preseason finale felt like a step forward in Ryans’ second year at the helm, highlighted by Mertz’s emergence. For Detroit, it served as a reminder that depth remains a work in progress.
Both teams now turn their attention to roster cutdown day — and the real season just around the corner.
