Texans Rookie QB C.J. Stroud Throws Interception on First Preseason Drive

The No. 2 pick in this year’s draft had a, well, memorable first taste of game action.

The NFL preseason can be light on meaningful moments, with the bulk of the action consisting of back-of-the-roster players fighting for a spot on the team. But among the captivating storylines is the debuts of the most recent crop of first-round picks and budding franchise quarterbacks, and Thursday night provided just that with the Texans and No. 2 draft pick C.J. Stroud taking on the Patriots.

Stroud got his first taste of life in the NFL with an opening drive that ended, well, in a bit of disaster. After guiding the offense to a first down, he took a 15-yard sack on his fourth play of the game. Then, facing a third-and-21, he threw and ill-advised pass that was intercepted by New England cornerback Jalen Mills.

CJ Stroud's first preseason drive ends with an INT 👀

(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/MRaajq3pvv

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) August 10, 2023

Stroud got one more series for Houston, which ended in a punt and featured one first down that came on a roughing the passer penalty. He was lifted for Davis Mills, and finished the game with a pedestrian stat line of 2-for-4 for 13 yards, with six rushing yards on two attempts.

Of course, it’s too early to take much away from this brief performance, and Stroud should get more opportunities to prove himself as the preseason continues. In the meantime, he’ll likely always remember his first drive in an NFL uniform.