The Houston Texans will play in front of the home crowd for the first time ahead of the 2024 season against the New York Giants but will have one notable admission.
Quarterback Davis Mills will not play due to a rib injury sustained in the Texans’ second preseason contest against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Mills, diagnosed with bruised ribs, had limited work throughout the week and did not practice at all on Thursday after initially being on the field at the start of the day.
Mills is expected to be the backup to C.J. Stroud in the 2024 season after putting together a solid training camp.
Several players listed below not slated to play today for #Texans against #Giants as well as quarterback Davis Mills (bruised ribs) https://t.co/2Te8fYekVU
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) August 17, 2024
Mills, who started most of the 2021 and 2022 seasons, has put together promising results through two preseason games, completing 70% of his passes for 191 yards with one touchdown and no turnovers.
“He’s done a really good job for us all throughout training camp and the preseason, so [we] feel really good about Davis,” Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said.
A third-round pick out of Stanford in 2021, Mills has started 26 games for Houston. While he never established himself as the team’s long-term answer, Mills has quietly transformed into one of the league’s top backups.
I’m not sure I’d even trade Davis Mills for a 3rd round pick
He’s looked like a field general tonight making smart decisions with off-script magic too pic.twitter.com/RfTMnLCzrU
— Drew (@IndepthTexans) August 2, 2024
Mills’ ability to extend plays looks much improved from season’s past and it led to some of his best highlights during the first two preseason contests.
His absence from Thursday’s practice sparked rumors of a potential trade with the Minnesota Vikings after losing rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy for the season to a meniscus injury, though it appears that Mills will be in Houston through the final year of his rookie contract.
Reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year C.J. Stroud, along with a majority of starters, are expected to play most of the first quarter against the NFC East franchise. From there, a combination of Case Keenum and Tim Boyle will conclude the game.