Photo credit: SFL Staff

Houston Texans’ Preseason Loss to Chargers Still Delivered Something Valuable: The Rookies Showed Up

Article by: B. Keith Crear III

The final score wasn't pretty, but August football isn't always about the final score. The Houston Texans fell 27-7 to the Los Angeles Chargers Thursday night in their 2026 preseason opener, yet Houston walked away with something considerably more useful than a meaningless preseason victory: several members of its rookie class gave the coaching staff reasons to keep watching.

Marlin Klein Gives Houston a Glimpse of His Potential

Second-round tight end Marlin Klein didn't need an entire game to make an impression.

Klein played only 11 snaps but hauled in a 31-yard reception during Houston's opening possession. Head coach DeMeco Ryans praised more than the catch afterward, pointing to Klein's work as a blocker and his ability to finish plays in the running game.

That's the part Texans fans should appreciate.

The spectacular catch will make the highlight package, but becoming an every-down NFL tight end requires considerably more than running routes. If Klein can become dependable as a blocker while providing a big target in the passing game, Houston can move him around formations without advertising what the offense intends to do.

For a rookie making his NFL debut, that's a good night's work.

The Opening Drive Was Houston's Best Offensive Moment

Davis Mills started at quarterback with Houston's first-team offensive line and immediately gave the Texans something positive.

Klein's 31-yard reception helped move Houston downfield before Mills connected with Jared Wayne for a 5-yard touchdown. Houston's official recap also highlighted rookie running back Noah Whittington's work during the possession.

Then the offense went quiet.

Houston didn't score again, and Mills eventually finished 9-of-15 passing for 82 yards. C.J. Stroud was among the established starters who did not play.

Nobody needs to sound an alarm over that.

The purpose of these games is evaluation. Houston wasn't unveiling its regular-season offense, and many of the players who will determine whether this team competes deep into January were spectators.

Still, sustaining drives will certainly be an emphasis going forward.

Graham Mertz Injury Is the Bigger Concern

The most troubling development had nothing to do with the scoreboard.

Quarterback Graham Mertz suffered a knee injury while scrambling late in the second quarter. Ryans said afterward that Mertz injured an ACL, with further evaluation needed to determine the full extent of the damage.

Reuters reported Friday that Houston fears Mertz suffered a torn ACL, potentially ending his season.

That's a brutal development for a young quarterback who spent much of his rookie season recovering from previous knee trouble.

Mertz had completed 4 of 7 passes for 23 yards before leaving. His injury forced Mills back into the game for the entire second half.

Football's business side will now take over. If the injury proves season-ending, Houston will have to determine whether another quarterback needs to be added behind Stroud and Mills.

Kamari Ramsey Flashes His Ball-Hawking Ability

The rookie who may have helped himself most defensively was fifth-round safety Kamari Ramsey.

Ramsey intercepted Chargers quarterback Trey Lance late in the first half, stopping a Los Angeles scoring opportunity.

The play fits the profile Houston saw before drafting him.

Ramsey ran a 4.47-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine and finished his college career at UCLA and USC with 133 tackles, 11 passes defensed and two interceptions. Houston selected him No. 141 overall in April.

One preseason interception doesn't guarantee a roster role, but defensive backs who can create turnovers tend to get coaches' attention quickly.

Keylan Rutledge Gets Valuable First-Team Work

First-round rookie Keylan Rutledge also received an important assignment.

The No. 26 overall selection started at center alongside Houston's first-team offensive line.

For a franchise determined to give Stroud better protection, Rutledge's development could be one of the most important stories of the entire preseason.

Houston doesn't need him to become an All-Pro in August.

It needs him stacking clean snaps, communicating protections and becoming comfortable operating against NFL defensive fronts.

Thursday was Step 1.

My Two Pennies

A 27-7 loss doesn't look good scrolling across the bottom of your television, but I'm not losing sleep over preseason standings.

What matters is what Houston learned.

Klein looks like he might give this offense another interesting weapon. Ramsey showed the instincts that made him a draft pick. Rutledge received valuable work with the starters. Whittington flashed. Other young players, including Lewis Bond, Treyvhon Saunders and Joshua Pitsenberger, got their first real NFL opportunities.

The Mertz injury is the unfortunate exception, and that's the part of Thursday night that could have consequences beyond August.

Everything else goes into the evaluation folder.

Next Thursday, Aug. 20, Houston hosts the Las Vegas Raiders at Reliant Stadium.

The score will reset to 0-0.

The competition for jobs won't.