KPRC reporter Aaron Wilson joins Next Up after the Houston Texans earned their first 2024 preseason win in Friday's 20-12 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Starters on both sides of the ball played in the opening snaps. Quarterback C.J. Stroud threw a pass to wide receiver Tank Dell for a 34-yard touchdown, creating an "inspirational moment" for Dell, who returned to the end zone after breaking his fibula last season and being wounded as a victim of a mass shooting in Florida, Wilson said. Despite the final score, the Texans "were down three starters" on the offensive line, and their absence was noticeable as the line "didn't get enough push." When the Texans are fully healthy, there is substantial depth in the wide receiver and running back rooms. However, not everybody will make the roster following training camp, creating a "complicated picture." Besides the established starters, who will support the running back and wide receiver position groups as Week One of the NFL season approaches?

Stan Norfleet of Next Up and Dan Mathews of The A-Team preview the Houston Astros taking on the Boston Red Sox for a three-game road series starting Friday. Ronel Blanco will take the mound as the Astros look to extend their lead in the AL West. The Texans are traveling to Pittsburgh to face the Steelers for their second preseason matchup. Head coach DeMeco Ryans previously stated that starters will see the field; however, there are many first-team offense and defense players that will not be suiting up Friday.

Stan Norfleet of Next Up and Ben DuBose of The Rockets Wire react to the Houston Astros defeating the Texas Rangers 6-4 on Wednesday to win their eighth straight Silver Boot Series. Brian Bogusevic, former Astros outfielder and Space City Home Network analyst, joins to discuss Yusei Kikuchi performing well in his second game on the mound for the Astros and Yordan Alvarez uplifting the offense. Stan and Ben also preview the three-game road series against the Boston Red Sox and the Texans taking on the Pittsburgh Steelers for their second preseason matchup.

Brian Bogusevic, former Astros outfielder and Space City Home Network analyst, joins Next Up following the Houston Astros defeating the Texas Rangers 6-4 on Wednesday to claim their eighth consecutive Silver Boot Series. Yusei Kikuchi took the mound and held the Rangers scoreless through five innings before giving up a solo home run in the sixth. The left-handed starter gave up four hits and two runs while striking out eight. The Astros are 2-0 with Kikuchi starting; however, there are concerns that Kikuchi cannot take the Astros deep into games. "He's not really a pitch-to-contact guy," so Kikuchi's pitch count gets high by nature of his pitches, Bogusevic said. While the Astros were able to pull out the season series win, the offense was in a slump prior to arriving in Arlington, often struggling to bring in runners in scoring position. "There hasn't been a ton of consistency... so unless the bottom half of the order gets hot," run numbers will continue to be low. However, Yordan Alvarez has provided a spark, recording homers in back-to-back games after not hitting one since July 21. "He's getting hot." Bogusevic also discusses Zach Dezenzo going 2-for-3 with one walk at first base and previews the Astros three-game road series against the Boston Red Sox.

Stan Norfleet of Next Up and Dan Mathews of The A-Team recap the Houston Astros defeating the Texas Rangers 4-2 to even the three-game series and force a tiebreaker for the Silver Boot Series. Framber Valdez was one out away from becoming the second player in franchise history to throw multiple no-hitters, but Corey Seager hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning. Yusei Kikuchi will take the mound Wednesday in an attempt to win the three-game series and the Silver Boot Series. Stan and Dan react to Zach Dezenzo playing first base, debate if the Astros can retain both Framber Valdez and Kyle Tucker in the future, talk with KPRC reporter Aaron Wilson about the Texans traveling to Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers in their second preseason matchup and more.

KPRC reporter Aaron Wilson joins Next Up as the Houston Texans conclude their final practice in Ohio before traveling to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers on Friday. Many starters did not participate in practice, including Stefon Diggs, who left the field early Tuesday after a collision. "It's mostly a day off for [Diggs]," but the Texans "are missing a lot of guys," Wilson said. Linebacker Christian Harris has been dealing with a soft-tissue leg injury and is "not going to be back until late in the preseason." While others have been dealing with injuries, rookies like safety Calen Bullock and cornerback Kamari Lassiter have been able to stand out. "It's a matter of when, not if, Calen Bullock becomes a starter." The starters for the Texans are expected to take the field for their second preseason matchup, including the star quarterback. "C.J. [Stroud] is planning to play."

Stan Norfleet and Chris Gordy of Next Up recap the Houston Astros losing 4-3 to the Texas Rangers after a walk-off home run in the 10th inning. Hunter Brown earned a quality start, allowing one run on three hits and two walks over six innings while striking out four. However, Ryan Pressly and Caleb Ferguson would give up home runs late to hand the Astros their third straight defeat. The Astros offense continued to slump, going 1-for-9 with runners in scoring positions, including 1-for-7 with the bases loaded. Stan and Chris also discuss head coach DeMeco Ryans saying the Texans starters will play against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Friday, react to Tytus Howard and Stefon Diggs getting shaken up at practice, review the New England Patriots and Cleveland Browns attempting to trade for San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk and more.

Stan Norfleet and Chris Gordy of Next Up review the Houston Astros losing a three-game series to the Tampa Bay Rays following Sunday's 1-0 defeat. Yusei Kikuchi made his debut for the Astros in Friday's 3-2 victory, striking out 11 batters in over five innings. Spencer Arrighetti also had an efficient start Sunday; however, the Astros offense was shut out. Stan and Chris also discuss the Astros announcing Lance McCullers Jr. will not likely play this season, react to Andre Johnson getting inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, debate the NFL Top 100 Players list and more.

Stan Norfleet and Chris Gordy of Next Up react to former Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson's induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, becoming the first Texans players to receive the honor. The Texans selected Johnson with the third overall pick in the 2003 NFL Draft, and Johnson would play 12 seasons in Houston. During his enshrinement speech, Johnson addressed the current Texans team that was in attendance: "To the team, the Houston Texans that are here, I hope you guys really take this in, enjoy it, cherish it, because one day, one of you guys are going to be standing up here." Stan and Chris debate who on the Texans roster they think could eventually make the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Stan Norfleet of Next Up recaps the Houston Texans losing 21-17 to the Chicago Bears in the NFL preseason Hall of Fame game; however, the matchup ended with 3:31 remaining in the third quarter Thursday due to inclement weather. Will Kunkel, sports director at FOX 26 Houston, joins to discuss the battle for the backup quarterback position. Stan also previews the Astros debut of Yusei Kikuchi and breaks down his Mount Rushmore of Houston athletes.