The Houston Texans committed four turnovers and the Green Bay Packers took advantage of the sloppy play with a 28-26 win Thursday evening at Lambeau Field.
Receiver Keke Coutee had the Texans’ first giveaway with 1:54 in the first quarter when he muffed a punt that Equanimeous St. Brown recovered for Green Bay’s first touchdown. Coutee would later leave the game early in the second quarter with an ankle injury, for which he needed to be carted into the locker room.
The Texans also were without starting center Greg Mancz after he injured his leg in the first quarter and was taken to the locker room. Starting right guard Zach Fulton moved to center while second-round rookie Max Scharping stepped in at right guard.
Quarterback Joe Webb took every snap at the position for the Texans. The former Minnesota Vikings’ 2010 sixth-round pick completed 25 passes on 40 attempts for 286 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions. Webb also rushed six times for 47 yards.
Undrafted rookie running back Damarea Crockett evened the score for the Texans with a 1-yard touchdown run with 7:16 in the second quarter.
The Packers regained the lead with rookie receiver Darrius Shepherd catching a 14-yard touchdown pass from quarterback DeShone Kizer.
Houston kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn connected on a 49-yard field goal to pull the Texans within four as the first half expired. Fairbairn would later miss an extra point in the game after a 6-yard touchdown catch by tight end Jerell Adams.
Undrafted rookie Karan Higdon carried eight times for 37 yards for the Texans. Taiwan Jones had a lost fumble as part of his seven carries for 28 yards.
Linebacker Dylan Cole was the Texans’ leading tackler with four combined tackles. The Texans defense was unable to generate any pressure on Green Bay’s quarterbacks. Defensive back Deante Burton had a forced fumble on special teams.
The Texans return to Houston for three straight days of training camp until they invite the Detroit Lions for another joint camp ahead of their preseason game on Aug. 17 at NRG Stadium.
