CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Texans beat the Carolina Panthers 26-13 in their preseason opener at Bank of America Stadium on Saturday night.

Wide receiver Trindon Holliday had a 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the first quarter. The Texans' starters played three series apiece on both sides of the ball, building a 10-3 lead before giving way to reserve players.

Texans quarterback Matt Schaub completed 3-of-6 passes for 52 yards with one interception in his first game since Nov. 7. Wide receiver Andre Johnson did not play because of a recent groin injury. Rookie Keshawn Martin started in his place and had two catches for 24 yards, along with one carry for 12 yards.

Rookie outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus, the Texans' first-round draft pick out of Illinois, had 1.5 sacks and three tackles in his NFL debut. Undrafted rookie running back Jonathan Grimes scored on a three-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.

The Texans' "Bulls on Parade" defense combined for eight sacks and limited the Panthers to 137 yards. Their offense stalled in the red zone three times but totaled 375 yards and held the ball for 37:41.

T.J. Yates relieved Schaub late in the first quarter. The second-year quarterback looked sharp in his first game since the Texans' Divisional Round playoff loss at Baltimore, completing 8-of-12 passes for 89 yards and leading two scoring drives.

Veteran quarterback John Beck went 4-of-6 for 46 yards in the third quarter in his first action as a Texan. Undrafted rookie Case Keenum closed out the game in the fourth quarter. The University of Houston product was 2-of-3 for 33 yards with four carries for eight yards.

Article by: Twitter.com/NickScurfield
Props to HoustonTexans.com for the info.