By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: 16:13 EDT, 23 August 2025 | Updated: 16:13 EDT, 23 August 2025
DETROIT (AP) - Kyle Allen threw a 33-yard, go-ahead touchdown pass late in the first quarter to rookie Isaac TeSlaa, solidifying their roles with the Detroit Lions in a 26-7 loss against the Houston Texans in the preseason on Saturday.
Allen has established himself as Jared Goff's backup, beating out Hendon Hooker, and TeSlaa earned a spot in the receiver rotation behind Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams.
Texans rookie Graham Mertz, meanwhile, made a bid to earn a spot on a 53-man roster or at least an invite to be on a practice team.
Mertz, a former Florida and Wisconsin quarterback, was 14 of 16 for 145 yards with a 6-yard touchdown pass to former Lions receiver Quintez Cephus in the second quarter. He ran two times for 20 yards.
Kedon Slovis, who was on Houston's practice squad last year as a rookie, completed 11 of 16 passes for 111 yards with a 3-yard touchdown pass to Daniel Jackson in the fourth quarter.
The Texans (2-1) kept C.J. Stroud on the sideline, a week after he led two drives in a preseason win over Carolina, and did not play No. 2 quarterback Davis Mills.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) catches a pass for a touchdown as Houston Texans cornerback D'Angelo Ross (37) defends during the first half of an NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Mertz made the most of the opportunity, showing he could make plays with his right arm and legs. He threw a 24-yard pass to receiver Xavier Hutchinson on his first attempt and converted a third-and-9 with an 11-yard run to help set up Ka'imi Fairbairn's 53-yard field goal on Houston's opening drive.
On the ensuing possession, Allen and TeSlaa connected to convert a third down and score.
TeSlaa made a move to the outside and cut inside as cornerback D'Angelo Ross fell, going low to catch an 8-yard pass to move the sticks. Three plays later from the Texans 33, Allen dropped back and perfectly lofted a pass over TeSlaa's left shoulder and into his hands after he got past Ross and ran into the end zone.
The 29-year-old Allen has started 19 times, including twice with the Texans in 2022, and played in 31 games over seven seasons with Carolina, Washington, Houston, Buffalo and Pittsburgh. He threw 17 touchdowns and 16 interceptions in 12 starts for the Panthers in 2019, the only season he played extensively.
Allen, who was 5 of 5 for 66 yards and a score on Saturday, completed 35 of 44 passes for 401 yards with five touchdowns and two interceptions in four preseason games. Detroit (1-3) took Hooker in the third round out of Tennessee in 2023, hoping he would eventually become Goff's backup.
Hooker didn't throw a touchdown pass in the preseason and threw his third interception of the preseason in the fourth quarter against Houston.
Detroit drafted the 6-foot-4, 214-pound TeSlaa in the third round even though he had just 28 catches for 545 yards and three touchdowns last season for Arkansas and he has validated the franchise's faith in him.
TeSlaa produced in practices as well as games, with 10 receptions for 146 yards and three touchdowns.
Texans linebacker Jake Hansen was injured in the first quarter, but was able to walk off the field.
Texans: Start season Sept. 7 at the Los Angeles Rams.
Lions: Open season Sept. 7 at Green Bay.
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Detroit Lions quarterback Kyle Allen (8) throws a pass against the Houston Texans during the first half of an NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Houston Texans quarterback Graham Mertz (18) throws a pass against the Detroit Lions during the first half of an NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Houston Texans quarterbacks Davis Mills (10) and C.J. Stroud stand together before a preseason NFL football game against the Detroit Lions Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff warms up before a preseason NFL football game against the Houston Texans Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)