Texans vs Packers: 3 Players to watch in preseason opener

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – SEPTEMBER 30: Joe Webb III #5 of the Houston Texans in the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 30, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images) /

3. Joe Webb

Since A.J. McCarron has a thumb injury and is unable to play on Thursday night against the Green Bay Packers, the Houston Texans will have to use Joe Webb a lot in this game. It will be a great way to see how he’s improved his game at the quarterback position this past offseason.

Webb was the third quarterback on the roster in 2018, playing behind Deshaun Watson and Brandon Weeden, but for Webb his regular season game action came as member of the special teams, which he did well enough on to earn the roster spot.

This game against the Packers, with Watson not seeing much (if any) game time on Thursday will allow Webb to show the Texans he is capable of being the top backup on the Texans quarterback depth chart, and not McCarron, as it will be his time to shine.

The saying in the NFL is “next man up,” and well Thursday night is a great opportunity for Webb to show what he can achieve as quarterback when his number is called. Webb didn’t throw a single pass in the regular season a year ago, but last preseason he was 34-of-60 for 412 yards with two touchdowns and one interception.

Webb’s best games last year in the preseason came with a 10-of-19 performance against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 2, followed with a 11-of-18 game for 136 yards against the Dallas Cowboys in the preseason finale. Last preseason Webb had a QB rating of 82.1.

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