Panthers hold off Texans 16-13 in preseason finale

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) Carolina Panthers running back Miles Davis said his father was a huge jazz fan.

So it was a no-brainer for his pops when it came time to choosing his son's name. He named him after his favorite jazz musician.

“He was like, ‘you know what, our last name is Davis, and well, Miles Davis has a nice ring to it,” Davis said.

Davis hopes to make a name for himself in the NFL. The undrafted rookie from Utah State ran for a 1-yard touchdown, Ryan Fitzgerald kicked three field goals and the Carolina Panthers held on to defeat the Houston Texans 16-13 on Friday night in the preseason finale for both teams.

Panthers fourth-string quarterback Kyle Trask, who was signed during training camp following a hamstring injury to Haynes King in the Hall of Fame game, finished 19 of 28 for 147 yards with one interception and led four scoring drives for Carolina (3-1).

Davis ran for 34 yards on 11 carries and Anthony Tyus had 10 carries for 41 yards for the Panthers.

Brett Rypien completed 13 of 23 passes for 101 yards, including a late 6-yard touchdown pass to Zay Jones for the Texans (0-3). He also threw one interception.

Houston's last-ditch effort to take its first lead of the game - or at least tie it - ended when Jeremiah Moon sacked Rypien and forced a fumble and Cam Gill recovered with 54 seconds left.

The Panthers limited the Texans to 173 yards while getting four sacks and two interceptions.

“Guys are really working on their finish,” Panthers coach Dave Canales said. “They are getting the offensive tackles’ hands off them and finishing at the quarterback. That forces teams to get the ball out before they want to.”

Both offensive coordinators were extremely conservative on offense playing on a field that has been waterlogged by heavy rains in the hours leading up to the game.

Neither teams played its starters.

Houston's Davis Mills and Carolina's Kenny Pickett started at quarterback, but neither could muster any points before being removed after about a quarter.

Mills finished 3 of 7 for 18 yards with one interception, while Pickett was 5 of 8 for 48 yards.

The Panthers recently signed Darren Waller to give them a veteran pass catching tight end. But Waller is no lock to make the roster.

Waller has only practiced for a few days and did not play in Friday night's game.

Canales said Waller hasn't had enough team reps to play in the preseason, and remained non-committal on his future.

“Those are the conversations we are going to have this weekend,” Canales said when asked if Waller will make the team. “I think it's both parties. It's certainly (general manager) Dan Morgan and I looking at how we are going to use him and how he fits into the whole picture. And then of course it's Darren and his representation making sure this is the right situation. Right now they feel like it is, but those conversation have to happen.”

Coach DeMeco Ryans said the Texans have some tough decisions to make at wide receiver on cutdown day after losing Jayden Higgins for the season and with Tank Dell still working his way back from a devastating knee injury.

“We needed to add to the receiver room and we are still trying to find who will be those guys for us," Ryans said. “It won't be an easy decision because we have more guys deserving than we have spots for.”

Aside from Nico Collins, Justin Watson and Xavier Hutchinson, the Texans have Jones, Sterling Shepard, Jaylin Noel, Jared Wayne and a host of rookies vying for spots.

Ryans said what complicates the decision is some receivers - such as Jones - only recently arrived and are still becoming familiar with the playbook and they haven't had much time to evaluate them.

Panthers outside linebacker Trevis Gipson Sr. was a difference-maker early on, sacking Mills on the game's first possession and then pressuring him into throwing an interception to safety Lathan Ransom.

Gipson has played in 66 games during his first six seasons in the league, mostly on special teams.

The Panthers will open the season without starting offensive tackles Ickey Ekwonu (knee) and Taylor Moton (blood clots), leaving opportunities for some young players to earn a spot on the 53-man roster. One of those is rookie Albert Reese IV, but he struggled against the Texans allowing four pressures and one sack.

Pickett has long been known for wearing gloves on both hands under center, but this year he's only wearing one on his left, non-throwing hand.

Pickett said there's a simple explication.

“The centers here in Carolina are a little more sweaty than I've had in the past,” Pickett said with a laugh.

Panthers running back Trevor Etienne was scheduled to have an MRI on his ankle after leaving the game early, Canales said.

Texans defensive lineman Solomon Byrd was helped off the field after his neck snapped back while trying to tackle Panthers tight end James Mitchell in the fourth quarter.

Texans: Host Buffalo in Sept 13 in season opener.

Panthers: Host Chicago on Sept. 13 in season opener.

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