The rookie QB out of Florida is hoping to make the 53-man roster.
DETROIT — Texans rookie Graham Mertz made a bid to earn a spot on a 53-man roster or at least an invite to be on a practice team. Mertz led the Texans to a preseason-ending 26-7 win over the Lions in Detroit Saturday.
“I’m really proud of Graham with the way he commanded the offense,” Houston coach DeMeco Ryans said. “He was under control. He did a really nice job of moving the ball up and down the field.”
Mertz was 14 of 16 for 145 yards with a 6-yard touchdown pass to former Lions receiver Quintez Cephus in the second quarter. He ran two times for 20 yards.
“You want to give the coaches that confidence anytime you step out there that you can go out there and execute when your number is called,” said Mertz, a former Florida and Wisconsin quarterback.
Kedon Slovis, who was on Houston’s practice squad last year as a rookie, completed 11 of 16 passes for 111 yards with a 3-yard touchdown pass to Daniel Jackson in the fourth quarter.
The Texans (2-1) kept C.J. Stroud on the sideline, a week after he led two drives in a preseason win over Carolina, and did not play No. 2 quarterback Davis Mills.
Mertz made the most of the opportunity, showing he could make plays with his right arm and legs.
Up next: The Texans season begins on the road against the Rams on Sept. 7 at 3:25 p.m. It’s a game you can watch on KHOU 11!
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