The Houston Texans (2-1) host the San Francisco 49ers (1-2) at NRG Stadium in the teams' final preseason game.
Three things to watch:
1. Backup QB competition. Case Keenum will spend this game competing against rookie quarterback Tom Savage as they both try to win the Texans' backup quarterback job. Keenum will start. Starter Ryan Fitzpatrick will be dressed in case coach Bill O'Brien wants to throw him into a two-minute drill or some situation he wants his starter to practice. Savage had a strong game in Denver, leading a game-winning drive capped by a two-point conversion. He didn't catch Keenum, but he did make the space between to two significantly smaller. Keenum has the advantage of starting experience, but he went winless in his eight games last season.
2. Cornerbacks. The Texans cornerbacks have been an interesting study throughout the preseason. A.J. Bouye has consistently improved -- O'Brien noted, when asked about the ups and downs for Bouye, that he's had more ups than downs. He's had a lot of first-team reps with Johnathan Joseph's absence, so I'd bet we don't see much of him tonight. Some players who will be interesting because of the strong preseasons they've had include Elbert Mack and rookie Andre Hal. Hal has thus far outperformed his status as a seventh-round draft pick.
3. Practice squad candidates: Late in the game, there will be players who are either trying to make the roster or the practice squad. Teams now have two extra practice squad spots and changing eligibility to consider. It's a place where a player who isn't quite ready but who does have potential can get his start. O'Brien rattled off a list of players who started on the practice squad, including New England guard Dan Connolly and Houston running back Arian Foster. "That’s a very big part of our team," O'Brien said. "Meaning that anyone that you put on the practice squad is there because you think eventually they may have a chance to help you and they’re not just there just to fill up so-called meat. They’re there because at the end of the day you think they may help you. I can give you a million examples. ... These are guys that you know will have a chance to eventually be good football players for you."