Texans-Panthers: 5 takeaways from Thursday's joint practice

USA Today

a day ago

The Houston Texans are doing their best to get ready for the start of the season despite being without Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon for the last several weeks. For the first time this season, pressure was put on both sides to deliver in front of fans against someone other than themselves.
Thursday marked the first joint practice of the regular season joint practice with the Carolina Panthers at the Methodist Training Center. For the first time since October of 2023, the top three picks of the 2023 NFL Draft were all in the same vicinity.
C.J. Stroud was tasked with leading his offense up and down the field against an improved Carolina front seven. Meanwhile, former Alabama teammates Bryce Young and Will Anderson Jr. went up against one another on the opposing side of the field like it was just another afternoon in Tuscaloosa playing for Nick Saban.
Overall, it appeared to be a good day for both teams, with some up-and-down performances from each. Here's five takeaways from drills about the Texans on Thursday.
Offense still a mixed bag
Yes, Houston found the end zone multiple times on team drills, but it wasn't pretty. Surpisingly, the offensive line was one the more consistent things in drills, but we'll get to them in a minute.
Stroud, who needs to take a step forward this season, went 3-of-5 on the first series, connecting with Xavier Hutchinson and rookie Jaylin Noel before finding Nico Collins in the red zone for a 15-yard touchdown.
The next two series were a mixed bag. Stroud threw into double coverage and was picked off by Mike Jackson in the red zone, which would have been a pick-six. The run game was pedestrian because of poor blocking and Carolina's secondary kept most receivers in check.
Perhaps this says more about an improved defense for the Panthers than it does about the Texans' status surrounding their offensive line. Or, and yes, it could be true, Houston still is a mess on offense.
Christian Kirk locks up WR No. 2 spot
No one expected Kirk to be just an average receiver when the Texans traded for him this offseason, but Thursday might have been the moment where everyone admitted he's the next man up after Nico Collins on offense.
Running the two-minute offense, Stroud scrambled right to evade and sack and threw a laser to Kirk, who out-jumped the defender and still managed to keep the drive alive .
'I try to look at those moments as real-life games. One minute and 20 to win the game, needed a touchdown, or to tie it. I thought we moved the ball really well and scrambled on that last play. I had to get it out of my hand fast because we were less on time, couldn't take a sack," Stroud said after practice. "So, just seeing him in the back of the end zone, he made a heck of a catch, contested catch. You celebrate; you have fun after that. I think those type of scenarios help so when the moments come, you're used to them.'
Kirk, who's playing for a new contract this season, has been the most consistent receiver in camp, not named Nico Collins. Expect him to be that in the regular season, too.
Derek Stingley delivers vs. No. 1 pick
It's always a bad idea to throw Stingley's way. Young found that out the hard way.
For the first time since the divisional round of the playoffs, Stingley was tested. The All-Pro cornerback didn't miss by much last season en route to a year of rememberance and he didn't miss while guardinrookie receiver Tetairoa McMillan down the sideline. Young tried for forced a back shoulder play for the No. 8 overall pick in the red zone, but instead was greeted by Stingley, who met the ball in line and proably could've taken it for a touchdown in live games.
Texans coach DeMeco Ryans was mostly focused on the offense, but his eyes caught one defensive moment in drills.
"You know what I saw? I saw Derek Stingley, they tried to throw a back shoulder," Ryans laughed. "I saw Derek Stingley pick it off and go to the house. So, if they covered like that all day, it was a great day.'
Carolina's offense is improved
Stingley had his moment against Young. Young returned the favor and his moment against a top 10 defense on multiple occasions.
During Carolina's first offensive series, Young hit receiver Xavier Legette twice to move the ball into Houston territory. On third connection, the second-year receiver made an acrobatic catch over rookie Jaylin Smith to punch his way into the end zone.
On the second series, Young looked surgical. His first pass to Legette was for a pickup of 16. The second pass was just out of the outstretched arm of McMillian, but any closer and it would have been a first-down pickup of 12. Young then connected twice with rookie tight end Mitchell Evans and Legette before uncorking one deep downfield to receiver Brycen Tremayne with Kamari Lassiter in coverage.
Tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders would cap off the drive with a touchdown reception in the red zone. Pass protection looked polished. The receivers seem to be fitting into Dave Canales' offense fine and Young, who at one point last season was benched, could be this year's most improved offensive player by a landslide.
Houston still has a great defense, but maybe Carolina has a solid offense?
Will Anderson not happy with results
Anderson, who helped Alabama reach the College Football Playoff national championship as a sophomore, demands excellence on gamedays. He also demands in during drills on Monday through Thursday.
Leaving Thursday's practice, the former No. 3 overall pick wasn't pleased with anything. Himself? Not good enough. The pass rush? Needs improvement. The status of the defense? Still needs work.
'We have to get better,' Anderson said. 'We had some good things that we got done, but have to be more disciplined, man.'
It wasn't a bad day for the defense, Anderson specifically. He recorded two sacks and won most of his one-on-one battles against former first-round pick Icky Ekwonu. But he's only one part of a team that allowed two touchdowns on their turf. That's not ok for him and shouldn't be tolerated by anyone who comes out with the first-team unit.
But Anderson is also an optimist. A couple of bad drills shouldn't define the status of the defense for the regular season, and even the struggles should be considered wins for the long-term.
"These are the types of days that you have to go through in order to be great and have a great defense," Anderson said. "You have to go through dog days like this when it's hot outside and you're grinding, plays back to back, all that type of stuff. That's what gets you ready for the season."