Stroud Shines as Texans Beat Steelers in Preseason

PITTSBURGH (AP) — In an exciting preseason debut, C.J. Stroud led the Houston Texans to a 20-12 victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Friday night. Stroud, who was held out of the previous Hall of Fame game, completed 2 of 4 passes for 41 yards, including a touchdown pass to Tank Dell. The 34-yard score came after Dell evaded two missed tackles, showcasing his agility. Stroud, the second overall pick in the 2023 draft, previously threw for 4,108 yards and 23 touchdowns last season, guiding the Texans to an AFC South championship. On the other side, Steelers quarterback Justin Fields played three series, completing 5 of 6 passes for 67 yards. Despite moving the team across midfield twice, Pittsburgh's drives faltered due to a fumbled snap and a sack. The Steelers recently traded Kenny Pickett, their first-round pick from 2022, after signing veteran quarterback Russell Wilson to a minimum contract following his release from Denver. The game also featured notable performances from both teams' defenses. Houston's Danielle Hunter made a significant impact with two tackles, a sack, and two quarterback pressures. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh's Quez Watkins struggled with a muffed punt, which led to a touchdown run by running back Dare Ogunbowale, capping a short 30-yard drive. Looking ahead, the Texans will host the New York Giants next Saturday, while the Steelers will face the Buffalo Bills at home.