C.J. Stroud caused a stir when he wore a Mariners hat as he arrived at NRG on Friday. But don't worry, Houston fans, he still loves Astros

HOUSTON — C.J. Stroud threw a touchdown pass in limited work in his preseason debut to help the Houston Texans to a 20-3 win over the Carolina Panthers on Saturday.

The Texans are sitting at 1-1 in the preseason following C.J. Stroud's touchdown pass to Nico Collins in the first quarter.

The Houston Texans put together an impressive performance in their 2025 preseason debut at NRG Stadium, knocking off the Carolina Panthers 20-3.

After two impressive seasons in the NFL, C.J. Stroud is gearing up for his third year with the Houston Texans. Following back-to-back postseason berths and second-round exits, the fans' expectations is for Stroud and Houston to build on that success.

Perhaps the Texans' biggest decision of this current era was backing out of a proposed trade with the Panthers and Bears in 2023.

Earlier in the week, the Houston Texans were hit with a heartbreaking injury to tight end Brevin Jordan, who went down with a season-ending knee injury during training camp practice, all less than a year removed from his previous ACL tear from his last campaign, limiting him to only two games played.

Here's how you can tune in to Saturday's preseason contest as Bryce Young and the Panthers visit C.J. Stroud and the Texans at NRG Stadium . . . TV channel: WJZY-FOX (Charlotte) | Click here for a list of local affiliates Streaming: Panthers.com/Panthers app | NFL+ | Fubo