The Patriots’ defense will get an early test by facing Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud in their first preseason game on Thursday.
Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans announced on Monday this past draft’s No. 2 pick will start over Davis Mills to begin the preseason. Mills has started a combined 26 regular season games for Houston since 2021.
Stroud, the former Ohio State quarterback, put up impressive numbers for the Buckeyes last year, logging 3,688 passing yards and throwing for 41 touchdowns. He completed 66 percent of his passes and threw just six interceptions in 2022.