Texans lose to Chargers 27-7 in preseason opener at Reliant Stadium

The Houston Texans lost 27-7 to the Los Angeles Chargers in their first preseason game on August 13, 2026, at Reliant Stadium. After a strong start, the Texans struggled, particularly in the second half, raising concerns about the team's offensive line and defensive backs. Players like Jared Wayne and Josh Kelly showed promise, but the performance of new quarterback Graham Mertz ended prematurely due to injury. Fans and analysts voiced mixed reactions, with some urging caution in their assessments of the game.

• 1:58 PMYahoo Sports — Groupthink: Over-reactions to Texans’ preseason loss