NEW ORLEANS — Houston rookie C.J. Stroud threw his first landing as a professional earlier than being named the Houston Texans’ beginning quarterback to open the common season.

Meanwhile, Jimmy Graham appeared decided to not let his mysterious medical episode and run-in with police final week derail his NFL comeback with the New Orleans Saints.

Stroud’s quick landing cross to Nico Collins helped the Texans defeat the Saints 17-13 on Sunday evening within the preseason finale for each groups.

Afterward, Stroud stated his beginning position going ahead is “something that I think I worked for and definitely earned.”

“Nothing else really changes. I’m still going to work they way I have been working - even more now,” added Stroud, the second general select of Ohio State within the 2023 NFL Draft. “So, blessed enough to be a starter so young in this league, which isn’t the easiest thing to do. But I know my coaches have trust and faith in me.”

While Stroud supplied a glimpse of his potential, the 36-year-old Graham supplied proof that he can nonetheless make the kind of performs Saints followers keep in mind from his first 5 NFL seasons in New Orleans from 2010 to 2014.

PHOTOS: Stroud has scoring cross as Texans beat Saints 17-13

The five-time Pro Bowl tight finish, who signed with the Saints final month after spending the earlier season out of soccer, caught three passes for 34 yards and a landing.

“It was nice to see Jimmy had a couple of nice catches - contested catches,” Saints coach Dennis Allen stated. “We’ve said this that we don’t have to see it every day from these guys, particularly the veteran players, yet at some point we have to see it - and we saw it tonight.”

His catches have been harking back to the way in which he performed when Drew Brees was his quarterback. He established leverage together with his 6-foot-7 body in tight protection and got here down with contested catches. His rating on a 3-yard cross from Jameis Winston got here shortly after his 25-yard seize had given New Orleans a primary down on the Houston 11.

“Jimmy has been Jimmy since he first walked in the building,” Winston stated. “I just think that a lot of other tight ends have had opportunities” this preseason.

After his landing - which delighted a Superdome crowd longing to see the ever standard Graham rating for the Saints once more — the previous Miami basketball participant leapt up towards the aim publish as if to dunk the ball over the cross bar. He aborted, nevertheless, and averted a flag by as a substitute firing the ball off the padded wall behind the top zone.

Dunking the ball over the cross bar grew to become a rule violation in 2014, partially as a result of Graham’s former trademark TD celebration pressured a delay throughout a 2013 Thursday evening recreation when he knocked a aim publish out of alignment.

Graham sat out New Orleans’ second preseason in opposition to the Chargers in Los Angeles final weekend. That recreation was performed two days after Graham was arrested by Newport Beach police throughout what the Saints have described as a possible seizure that induced the 2013 All-Pro to develop into disoriented.

Graham was charged with suspicion of being beneath the affect of a managed substance and resisting officers, and was launched into the Saints’ care at a hospital early on the morning of Aug. 19. He returned to observe on Wednesday.

Graham has not spoken publicly about his arrest and declined to fulfill with media after the sport, however the Saints supplied a remark from Graham about his efficiency.

““It just reminded me of all the amazing moments I had here in front of these fans … so many special moments and wins,” Graham stated. “I’m looking forward to continuing to capitalize and let this feeling become even bigger.”

The Texans opened scoring with Stroud’s 3-yard cross to Collins, capping a drive started on the New Orleans 43 after a 26-yard punt return by Texans rookie Tank Dell. Dameon Pierce rushed 4 instances for 27 yards throughout the collection.

Stroud “did a really good job this week,” Houston coach DeMeco Ryans stated. “The ball placement was really nice.”

Veteran operating again Mike Boone put Houston in entrance 17-10 with a spinning, tackle-slipping 11-yard run within the third quarter.

Saints undrafted rookie kicker Blake Grupe, who has been competing for a job with incumbent Wil Lutz, hit discipline objectives from 38 and 50 yards earlier than lacking from 60.

New Orleans had two possibilities to take a late lead. Safety Grayland Arnold thwarted the primary when he intercepted rookie QB Jake Haener in the long run zone. Cornerback Cameron Dantzler’s diving interception of Haener within the last minute sealed the consequence.

INJURIES

Guard Jarrett Patterson required consideration from medical workers, however walked off on his personal, after recovering a fumble induced when Saints defensive deal with Malcolm Roach sacked and stripped QB Davis Mills.

UP NEXT

Texans: Open the common season at Baltimore on Sept. 10.

Saints: Host Tennessee on Sept. 10.

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