Luke Kuechly #59 of the Carolina Panthers
Following the Dallas Cowboys’ 20-18 victory over the Arizona Cardinals in this year’s Pro Football Hall of Fame Game in Ohio on Aug. 3, the NFL preseason will continue this Wednesday when the Carolina Panthers open their preseason by hosting the Houston Texans.
Here are the details of the game, including how to watch it:
Who: Houston Texans (9-7 in 2016) vs. Carolina Panthers (6-10 in 2016)
Date: Wednesday, August 9, 2017
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Stadium: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina.
Start Time: 7:30 pm EST.
TV: NFL Network
Livestream: NFL Game Pass (NFL.com)
Following a rough year with Brock Osweiler at quarterback, the Texans traded him to the Cleveland Browns and selected Clemson QB DeShaun Watson as their first-round pick (No. 12 overall) in the 2017 Draft. Watson has led the Tigers to two straight national championship games in as many years and last season helped Clemson win the NCAA title.
Former Rutgers quarterback Tom Savage — Houston’s fourth-round pick in 2014 — is expected to start for the Texans.
Defensive end J.J. Watt is also expected to start for Houston. The four-time Pro Bowl selection and three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year missed most of the 2016 season after undergoing back surgery. He recorded 1.5 sacks in three games last season.
Panthers quarterback Cam Newton will sit out Wednesday’s game. The 28-year-old passer — whom Carolina selected as the top overall pick in 2011 and who led the Panthers to a Super Bowl appearance after the 2015 season — had surgery in March to repair a partially torn rotator cuff and hasn’t thrown in practice for nine days.
Thus, Derek Anderson will likely start for Carolina on Wednesday, followed by Joe Webb and Garrett Gilbert.
Rookie running back Christian McAffrey will also likely make his NFL debut with the Panthers on Wednesday. The 21-year-old Stanford product — whom Carolina selected eighth overall in this year’s draft — has impressed thus far at training camp.
Rookie linebacker Ben Boulware could also make his NFL debut on Wednesday with the Panthers, with whom he signed as an undrafted free agent following the 2017 draft. Boulware, 23, said he is excited to face off against Watson, his former Clemson teammate. Boulware was the Defensive MVP of the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship.
According to NJ.com, here is the injury report for both teams:
Texans: DeAndrew White (WR), questionable; Terry Poole (OT) questionable.
Panthers: Curtis Samuel (WR), questionable; Kyle Love (DT), questionable; Corn Elder (CB), questionable; Cam Newton (QB), questionable; Kawann Short (DT), questionable.
Carolina is favored to win by three points, according to PanthersWire/USA TODAY NFL Writer Tim Weaver.
CHARLOTTE, NC – NOVEMBER 17: Luke Kuechly #59 of the Carolina Panthers returns a blocked field goal against the New Orleans Saints in the second quarter during the game at Bank of America Stadium on November 17, 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
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