Steelers vs Texans Preseason Gameday: Injury Updates, Broadcast Info, Betting Lines, More

PITTSBURGH STEELERS vs HOUSTON TEXANS PRESEASON GAMEDAY INFO

Preseason Week 2, Houston Texans (0-1) at Pittsburgh Steelers (0-0)

Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, 7 p.m.
Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh (68,400, Grass)

Broadcast
TV: KDKA-TV Channel 2, NFL Network (Bob Pompeani, Charlie Batch, Missi Mathews)

Radio: Steelers Radio Network, 102.5 WDVE-FM, SiriusXM 88 (Rob King, Craig Wolfley, Max Starks)

SN Coverage: Alan Saunders, Ed Thompson
Weather: Sunny, 81°. Wind WNW 10 mph.
Lines: Steelers +2.5, Steelers +125, over/under 37.5

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Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith watches practice on Aug. 8, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

STEELERS INJURY REPORT

Head coach Mike Tomlin has announced that he will hold out seven veteran starters, including two that have been dealing with injury. Quarterback Russell Wilson has taken just one full padded practice since returning from a calf injury, and outside linebacker Alex Highsmith missed the last two practices with a groin injury.

They’ll be joined in street clothes by Minkah Fitzpatrick, Cam Heyward, Patrick Queen, Isaac Seumalo and T.J. Watt, who will all be held out.

Nose tackle Breiden Fehoko and wide receiver Roman Wilson both did not practice on Thursday and should be considered out for Friday’s game. Safety DeShon Elliott participated in Thursday’s walkthrough after being injury during practice on Wednesday. and could be considered questionable. There are no official injury statuses for the preseason.

STEELERS TRANSACTIONS

The Steelers activated Cordarrelle Patterson from the non-football injury list. Outside linebacker Markus Golden retired. The Steelers previously waived linebacker Tyler Murray and safety Nate Meadors with injury designations, signed rookie linebacker Eason Gibbs and re-signed safety Jalen Elliott.

THE OTHER SIDE

The Texans will be without both starting offensive tackles, Tytus Howard and Laremy Tunsil. Tunsil is coming off offseason knee surgery. Howard is dealing with a minor knee injury suffered in practice. Backup tackle Charlie Heck (plantar fasciitis) is also expected to be held out. Also out will be  backup guard and former Steelers center Kendrick Green (leg) and second-team guard Dieter Eiselen.

Veteran cornerback Jeff Okudah, rookie Kamari Lassiter (ankle) and former Steelers slot man Desmond King (groin) are all out, leaving Houston thin in the secondary.

Running back Joe Mixon, who came over from the Cincinnati Bengals in the offseason, has been out with a strained quadriceps.

Tight ends Teagan Quitoriano (calf strain) and Brevin Jordan, wide receiver Noah Brown (shoulder strain), defensive lineman Tim Settle (calf), edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. (ankle) and linebacker Christian Harris (calf)  are all also not expected to play.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) is stopped by Houston Texans safety Jimmie Ward, right, during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

THE LAST TIME

Dameon Pierce rushed for 86 yards and C.J. Stroud hit Nico Collins for a pair of touchdowns as the Texans smothered the Steelers, 30-6 at NRG Stadium last Oct. 1.

The Steeles were unable to sack Stroud despite over a half-dozen Texans offensive linemen missing the game. Meanwhile, Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett was injured when he scrambled into pressure from Jonathan Genard.

STEELERS-TEXANS SERIES

The Steelers are 5-3 all-time against the Texans in regular season action, since the Houston club was founded as an expansion team in 2002. The Steelers are 3-1 all-time against the Texans at Heinz Field/Acrisure Stadium.

WE’RE GOING STREAKING

The Pittsburgh Steelers have won six consecutive preseason games, the longest active such streak in the NFL. The Steelers beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Buffalo Bills and Atlanta Falcons last preseason and the Seattle Seahawks, Jacksonville Jaguars and Detroit Lions in 2022.

Their last preseason defeat came against the Carolina Panthers on Aug. 27, 2021, a 34-9 loss at Bank of America Stadium. The Steelers went 3-1 that preseason. They haven’t lost a home preseason game since a 19-15 loss to the Indianapolis Colts on Aug. 26, 2017.

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Steven Sims catches a punt against the Cincinnati Bengals on Nov. 20, 2022. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

PITTSBURGH CONNECTIONS

King spent part of last season with the Steelers, playing one game. Green was the club’s fourth-round draft pick in 2021 and spent one years as the starting center and one as a backup before being traded to Houston last offseason. 

Wide receiver and kick returner Steven Sims spent two seasons with the Steelers from 2021-22. Nose tackle Khalil Davis was with the Steelers in 2021 and the 2022 offseason.

Safety Brandon Hill was a 2023 seventh-round pick out of Pitt. He spent four seasons with the Panthers from 2019-22. Center Juice Scruggs played for Cathedral Prep in Erie, Pa. in high school and spent five years at Penn State before being drafted n the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Defensive tackle Kurt Hinish is a Pittsburgh native and Central Catholic alum. He joined the Texans as an undrafted free agent out of Notre Dame in 2022.

Houston quarterbacks coach Jerrod Johnson spent the 2012 offseason as a member of the Steelers. He interviewed for the Pittsburgh offensive coordinator position this past offseason.