Texans' C.J. Stroud to Start Final Preseason Game over Davis Mills amid QB1 Battle

Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans announced C.J. Stroud will start at quarterback for the team's final preseason game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.

Ryans has yet to determine his QB1 for the start of the regular season as Stroud and Davis Mills vie for the job.

Stroud had a shaky preseason debut. He went 2-of-4 for 13 yards and an interception as the Texans took down the New England Patriots 20-9.

While his numbers (7-of-12 for 60 yards) weren't great the following week in a 28-3 loss to the Miami Dolphins, the No. 2 overall pick looked more natural in the pocket.

"What I saw from C.J.'s throws was the ball was coming out on time, it was very accurate, the ball placement was very good," Ryans told reporters after the game. "So it's encouraging to see him from Week 1 to this week, to see the improvement, just overall seeing him more comfortable, and I saw him having fun playing the game."

Between what they invested in him and the fact they're clearly rebuilding, most will expect Stroud to eventually get confirmed as the Week 1 starter.

The short-term gains of starting Mills—if winning is the priority—would probably be marginal at best as well. Through his first two years, the 2021 third-rounder is averaging 206.5 yards per game and has 33 touchdowns to 25 interceptions.

Considering Stroud will have started each of the Texans' three preseason clashes, Ryans seems to be sending a clear message about his regular-season plans without saying anything specific.