HOUSTON – Although the Rams fell to the Texans 17-15 on Saturday at NRG Stadium, there was still plenty to observe, especially when it came to players' expected roles and roster statuses ahead of Tuesday's initial 53-man roster deadline.
Here are five takeaways from the contest:
1) With Bennett established as QB2 for first two games, Winn gets all the reps vs. Texans: Rams head coach Sean McVay announced on the ABC7 broadcast pregame that Stetson Bennett would serve as the Rams' backup while Jimmy Garoppolo served his suspension the first two weeks of the season, it was Dresser Winn who led the offense for the entirety of Saturday's game. Bennett dresed but did not play.
Winn completed 9 of 16 pass attempts for 72 yards; he also rushed three times for 20 yards.
2) No action for Omar Speights: Undrafted free agent signee Omar Speights didn't play on Saturday, but for good reason – general manager Les Snead on the ABC7 broadcast confirmed Speights not only made the 53-man roster, but "as of now" the 48 (the gameday roster; 48 is the maximum number of gameday actives). Thus, they took a precautionary approach with his health.
"We didn't want to subject him to a possible injury because we could be relying on him on Sunday Night Football," Snead said on the broadcast.
3) Extended looks at Zach Evans and Boston Scott: Both running backs were close to an equal split in terms of carries on Saturday as they handled the majority of those snaps.
Evans posted 14 carries for 45 yards and two touchdowns; Scott 11 carries for 34 yards.
4) Brennan Jackson sees the field for the first time this preseason: Having dealt with a soft issue injury that sidelined him from practice until recently plus the first two preseason games, Brennan Jackson got the start in his preseason debut on Saturday.
5) Rare miss for Joshua Karty: The rookie kicker's extra point attempt following Evans' 4-yard touchdown run his first missed extra point of the preseason.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Houston Texans for preseason Week 3 at NRG Stadium. Take a look at photos from the matchup!
13 QB Stetson Bennett warms up ahead of preseason matchup against the Houston Texans
Former Rams wide receiver Ben Skowronek says hello to former teammates ahead of Week 3 preseason matchup
QB Matthew Stafford runs through his warm up routine ahead of preseason matchup against the Houston Texans
4 QB Dresser Winn warms up ahead of preseason matchup against the Houston Texans
91 NT Kobie Turner goes through his warm up routine ahead of preseason matchup against the Houston Texans
0 OLB Byron Young & 8 OLB Jared Verse go through their warm up routine ahead of preseason matchup against Houston Texans
55 DT Braden Fiske goes through his warm up routine ahead of preseason matchup against the Houston Texans
Rams players warm up ahead of preseason matchup against Houston Texans
88 WR Jordan Whittington warms up ahead of preseason matchup against the Houston Texans
26 DB Kamren Kinchens prepares for preseason matchup against Houston Texans
90 DL Tyler Davis warms up ahead of preseason matchup against Houston Texans
