Previewing Texans-Panthers preseason game with Aaron Wilson, Ari Alexander’s keys to the game, competitions to watch

HOUSTON – It’s a preseason game for the Texans that’s also a curiosity as new offensive coordinator Nick Caley gets to call the plays for the first time at NRG Stadium.

As the Texans take on the Carolina Panthers in a preseason home opener, starters are expected to play after mostly backups lined up for the defending AFC South champions last week against the Minnesota Vikings.

Here are the key situations and competitions we’re monitoring with myself and KPRC 2 Sports’ Ari Alexander weighing in on the matchup, the pending roster decisions and several injuries we’re monitoring, including Joe Mixon and C.J. Gardner-Johnson and how their absence impacts the personnel groupings:

Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com