advertisement

Brock Osweiler solid in Texans' 34-24 victory over Cardinals

HOUSTON (AP) - Pro Bowl receiver DeAndre Hopkins couldn't quit smiling Sunday after the Houston Texans' 34-24 exhibition victory over the Arizona Cardinals.

He's beginning to see just how good this offense can be now that new quarterback Brock Osweiler is settling into his role.

"The mindset that we have when we go out there is that we can't be stopped and today kind of showed that," Hopkins said.

Osweiler threw for 146 yards and a touchdown and Houston intercepted two of Carson Palmer's passes to help the Texans improve to 3-0 in the preseason. The Cardinals are 0-3.

Osweiler led the Texans to scores on three of his four drives. He connected with Fuller on a 26-yard touchdown pass that extended Houston's lead to 24-10 before sitting down with about three minutes left in the first half.

It was Osweiler's second successful outing after he and Houston's starting offense struggled in the team's first preseason game.

"We're constantly improving, we're fixing mistakes and we're getting better each week," Osweiler said. "That's really what you want to see at this point in time."

While Osweiler was solid, Houston's starting defense starred. Andre Hal intercepted Palmer's second pass of the day to set up Houston's first score, a 1-yard touchdown run by new running back Lamar Miller.

Palmer's second drive was his only clean one, and it ended with a 3-yard touchdown run by David Johnson.

On Arizona's next possession, linebacker John Simon tipped a pass by Palmer, intercepted it and returned it 59 yards for a touchdown. It was the second straight game in which Palmer had an interception returned for a touchdown after Brandon Flowers did it in last week in a 9-3 loss at San Diego.

"It's easy to evaluate that game: it's just called turnovers," Arizona coach Bruce Arians said.

Palmer attempted to tackle Simon after the interception and was tackled by 305-pound defensive end Devon Still, a hit that knocked the quarterback's helmet off. Arians had seen enough after that hit, and Palmer was replaced by Drew Stanton.

Palmer chipped a tooth on the play.

"I'm fine," he said. "It (just) looked bad."

Fuller finished with 67 yards receiving and fellow rookie Braxton Miller, the former Ohio State star quarterback, added three receptions for 29 yards. The Texans chose Fuller in the first round this year to take pressure off Hopkins, who was third in the NFL with 1,521 yards receiving last season despite facing near constant double teams.

He had two receptions for 31 yards Sunday.

INJURY UPDATE

Cardinals: CB Mike Jenkins, who had recently returned after having surgery to repair a broken bone in his right hand, was carted off the field after injuring his right knee in the first quarter. He was injured when he was juked by Hopkins and immediately crumpled to the ground. He appeared to be in a lot of pain as he was helped to the cart, and slammed his right hand on the cart in disgust before he was taken to the locker room. Arians didn't have an update on Jenkins after the game.

All-Pro safety Tyrann Mathieu, who came off the physically unable to perform list last week after knee surgery, was expected to play on Sunday, but remained on the sideline in a T-shirt and shorts.

"I've been making great strides in my rehab, my recovery ... but I just didn't feel like I was ready to go out there and play the game," he said.

Texans: K Nick Novak returned after sitting out most of the week after getting a concussion against the Saints last week. He made a 44-yard field goal in the first quarter and added one from 42 yards in the fourth.

CLOWNEY STANDING OUT

Outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney had three tackles and put pressure on Palmer and Stanton often on Sunday, leading Houston's defense with Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt still out after back surgery. The performance comes a week after Clowney sacked Drew Brees for a 14-yard loss in a win over the Saints. The top overall pick in the 2014 draft is looking for a breakout year after failing to produce in his first two injury-plagued seasons.

"I just want to stay on the field all season," he said. "That's it."

POSITION BATTLES

Cardinals: Jenkins had been among three players the mix to start at cornerback opposite star Patrick Peterson. If his injury is as severe as it appears, Arians will now have just Brandon Williams and Justin Bethel as candidates for the job.

Texans: C Greg Mancz started at center on Sunday in the position left open when rookie second-round pick Nick Martin had season-ending ankle surgery this week. But he struggled with some protections on Sunday, leaving open the possibility that offseason free agent acquisition Tony Bergstrom could get another shot at the job.

QUOTABLE

Cardinals: Palmer on if his chipped tooth will make him look tougher: "I'm not looking for street cred right now."

Texans: Simon in response to teammates saying he looked slow on his interception return: "I was able to get into the end zone without getting caught, so that's what's important."

ROOKIE WATCH

Cardinals: Undrafted free-agent Chris Hubert had a 43-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter.

Texans: Fourth-round pick Tyler Ervin looks to have solidified his position as the team's kick returner after returning one for 58 yards on Sunday. Irvin also had two carries for 13 yards and a 20-yard reception.

___

Online:

AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: www.twitter.com/AP_NFL

Houston Texans running back Lamar Miller (26) runs for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Aug. 28, 2016, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith) The Associated Press
Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) runs for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Aug. 28, 2016, in Houston. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) The Associated Press
Houston Texans wide receiver Jaelen Strong (11) catches a pass for a touchdown in front of Arizona Cardinals defender Ronald Zamort (38) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 28, 2016, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith) The Associated Press
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Drew Stanton (5) throws an incomplete pass as he is hit by Houston Texans linebacker Brennan Scarlett, bottom, during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 28, 2016, in Houston. (AP Photo/George Bridges) The Associated Press
Houston Texans wide receiver Will Fuller (15) celebrates his touchdown catch with teammate Ryan Griffin (84) with during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Aug. 28, 2016, in Houston. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) The Associated Press
Houston Texans quarterback Brock Osweiler (17) is sacked by Arizona Cardinals middle linebacker Kevin Minter (51) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 28, 2016, in Houston. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) The Associated Press
Houston Texans free safety Andre Hal (29) celebrates a reception during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Aug. 28, 2016, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith) The Associated Press
Arizona Cardinals tight end Darren Fells (85) pulls is a catch in front of Houston Texans free safety Andre Hal (29) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 28, 2016, in Houston. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) The Associated Press
Houston Texans outside linebacker John Simon (51) returns an interception for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Aug. 28, 2016, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith) The Associated Press
Houston Texans outside linebacker John Simon (51) celebrates with teammates after he returned an interception for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Aug. 28, 2016, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith) The Associated Press
Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians, left, challenges a call during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Aug. 28, 2016, in Houston. (AP Photo/JR) The Associated Press
Houston Texans wide receiver Will Fuller (15) reaches for a pass in front of Arizona Cardinals cornerback Brandon Williams (26) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 28, 2016, in Houston. Fuller dropped the ball. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith) The Associated Press
Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians watches during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Aug. 28, 2016, in Houston. (AP Photo/George Bridges) The Associated Press
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Jaxon Shipley (16) makes a catch for a touchdown over Houston Texans defensive back Terrance Mitchell (38) during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 28, 2016, in Houston. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) The Associated Press
Houston Texans wide receiver Will Fuller (15) makes a catch for a touchdown as Arizona Cardinals cornerback Brandon Williams (26) defends the play during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 28, 2016, in Houston. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) The Associated Press
Houston Texans wide receiver Will Fuller (15) makes a catch for a touchdown as Arizona Cardinals cornerback Brandon Williams (26) defends the play during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 28, 2016, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith) The Associated Press
Houston Texans defensive back Charles James (31) breaks up a pass intended for Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Jaxon Shipley (16) during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 28, 2016, in Houston. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) The Associated Press
Houston Texans outside linebacker Reshard Cliett (58) breaks up a pass intended for Arizona Cardinals running back Andre Ellington (38) during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 28, 2016, in Houston. (AP Photo/George Bridges) The Associated Press
Arizona Cardinals defensive back Elie Bouka (30) is hit by Houston Texans defenders K.J. Dillon (36) and Corey Moore (43) after a catch during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 28, 2016, in Houston (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) The Associated Press
Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.