Preseason Finale: Texans' Receiver Injuries Mount as Panthers Host
The Houston Texans travel to Carolina on Friday, August 28. Houston is dealing with a serious blow at receiver, with Jayden Higgins out for the season with a torn ACL and Tank Dell still building back from his own knee injury. Carolina is managing Xavier Legette's foot injury and is likely to hold tight end Darren Waller out of the finale, while both starting offensive tackles, Ikem Ekwonu and Taylor Moton, are expected to miss regular-season time.
Houston's receiver room takes a real hit
Losing Higgins for the season and still managing Dell's recovery leaves the Texans thinner at receiver than expected heading into the year.
Carolina's offensive line questions loom large
With both projected starting tackles dealing with issues that could extend into the season, the Panthers' front five is a real concern beyond this game.
Waller likely sits out the finale
Holding out the veteran tight end fits the standard preseason-finale caution most teams apply to notable veterans.
AI Prediction
Texans 
Panthers Carolina's offensive line issues are a real complication
With both starting tackles banged up, the Panthers' front five could struggle even against a Texans team without some receivers.
Houston's receiver losses are notable but don't affect this specific game much
Since backups are playing regardless, the season-long impact of losing Higgins matters less for this particular finale.
Preseason finale variance keeps this projection conservative
With both teams almost certainly resting their true starters, roster-bubble execution will decide the actual outcome.
This is a preseason exhibition finale. Carolina's offensive line concerns give Houston a modest edge, though confidence stays low given how little either team's presumed starters will play.
Panthers Leaders
Texans Leaders
Team Stats
| Texans | Stat | Panthers |
|---|---|---|
| 13.5 | Points Per Game | 27.0 |
| 229.0 | Total Yards | 330.7 |
| 134.5 | Yards Passing | 214.3 |
| 94.5 | Yards Rushing | 116.3 |
| 24.5 | Points Allowed Per Game | 25.3 |
| 395.0 | Yards Allowed | 393.7 |
| 263.5 | Pass Yards Allowed | 269.7 |
| 131.5 | Rush Yards Allowed | 124.0 |
Venue
Closing Line
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Panthers Injuries