CAROLINA PANTHERS

Houston Texans at Carolina Panthers: Time, TV Channel & Game Info (2026 Preseason)

Carolina closes out its preseason schedule with its only home game at Bank of America Stadium

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Game Center graphic for the Houston Texans at Carolina Panthers NFL Preseason Game on Aug. 28, 2026, featuring logos for each team

The Carolina Panthers host the Houston Texans in the final NFL preseason contest for each team. Find game information, what to watch, score and game recap.

After three straight exhibition games away from home, the Carolina Panthers close out their preseason schedule with their only home contest – hosting the Houston Texans on Friday, Aug. 28 at 7 p.m. at Bank of America Stadium.

The Panthers have won two of three preseason games thus far, including last Friday’s 34-17 triumph at Jacksonville. This will mark the final chance for coach Dave Canales and staff to evaluate players on the roster bubble.

The Panthers open the regular season on Sunday, Sept. 13 against the visiting Chicago Bears.

🔄 Last Updated: August 23, 2026

🏟️ Preseason Game

Houston Texans (0-2) at Carolina Panthers (2-1)
Date: Friday, Aug. 28, 2026
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Location: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC
Last Meeting: Houston Texans 20, Carolina Panthers 3 (Aug. 16, 2025 – preseason game)

TV: NFL Network; Panthers Television Network (WSOC-TV in Charlotte; WRAL/WRAZ in Raleigh-Durham)
Streaming: Panthers.com and Panthers app (free in-market); NFL+
Radio: Panthers Radio Network

📚 Last time out for the Panthers

Carolina Panthers 34, Jacksonville Jaguars 17 (Aug. 21) – The Panthers starting unit found the end zone on the second possession and Carolina never trailed on the way to its second preseason victory of 2026.
Bryce Young completed 5-of-6 passes for 49 yards in limited action at the start
Jonathon Brooks and AJ Dillon earned rushing touchdowns, and the Panthers scored on four of five red zone trips
Reserve quarterbacks Kenny Pickett and Kyle Trask threw passing touchdowns.
Kicker Ryan Fitzgerald hit a 61-yard field goal at the end of the first half.

🔍 Texans at Panthers (Preseason): What to Watch

🏈 Who makes the Panthers’ 53-man roster?

NFL teams have to trim their rosters from 90 down to the active-roster limit of 53 before 6 p.m. ET on Sunday, Aug. 30. This will be the last game action for players on the bubble to make their case.

Players to watch for Carolina include running backs AJ Dillon and Trevor Etienne, wide receivers Jimmy Horn Jr. and John Metchie III and outside linebacker Patrick Jones II, among others.

Dillon has run with power in the preseason, while Etienne has made an impact on special teams. Horn has been a multi-purpose threat on returns and breaking long gains on runs and receptions. Jones missed much of 2025 with a back injury and is trying to make his way back to form.

🏈 Will new TE Darren Waller play against the Texans?

The Panthers haven’t made an official determination on whether Waller, signed on Aug. 17, will suit up for the preseason finale. Coach Dave Canales has said earlier that he expects Waller to begin taking reps with the first-team offense this week in the leadup to the game.

Waller, 34, has primarily been focused on conditioning and learning the playbook since joining the team.

🏈 How much will Bryce Young and the starters play?

Entering the week, coach Dave Canales had not outlined his plans for the final preseason contest. But it is standard NFL practice for most coaches to limit starters snaps in the last exhibition game or hold them out entirely.

The Panthers are scheduled to hold a joint practice with the Texans on Wednesday, Aug. 26.

🏈 Who starts next to Devin Lloyd at inside linebacker?

Devin Lloyd is locked in as one of the Panthers starters at inside linebacker. Who will play next to him still seems up for grabs coming out of the third preseason game against the Jaguars. Neither Trevin Wallace nor Claudin Cherelus seemed to do enough to differentiate themselves in the game

“Similar to tight end, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Panthers search for a veteran free agent linebacker before or after the cut-down deadline next week,” ESPN’s Mike Kaye said, as published by PanthersWire.