Patriots vs. Texans score: Live updates, highlights, analysis for preseason game in Foxborough

And just like that, football is back! The Patriots and Texans are kicking off their preseason schedules with an exhibition from Foxborough on Thursday night. For Houston, this game does carry a bit more weight as we’ll see the debut of No. 2 overall pick C.J. Stroud, who was named the starter for this matchup by first-year head coach DeMeco Ryans. 

While Stroud clearly represents the future for the Texans under center, it’s technically still to be determined if he’s going to take hold of the starting job out of the gate for Week 1. A strong showing here could do wonders for Stroud in his attempt to leave Davis Mills in the dust. Meanwhile, the Patriots are not expected to play their starters, but that doesn’t mean there still isn’t any intrigue for Bill Belichick’s team. Two rookies who have been making waves at training camp that are also expected to play tonight are wideouts Demario Douglas and Kayshon Boutte. They are both vying for roster spots behind the likes of DeVante Parker, Kendrick Bourne and JuJu Smith-Schuster.

The preseason is the time for players in the middle or at the bottom of their respective rosters to make a push for the 53-man roster. Which of those players on the Texans and Patriots are going to make that leap tonight? We’re about to find out. Come hang out in our live blog of this exhibition where we’ll have instant analyst and real-time highlights. 

Date: Thursday, Aug. 10 | Time: 7 p.m. ETLocation: Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, Massachusetts) Line: Texans -3, O/U 37.5TV: NFLN (stream on fubo)Follow: CBS Sports App