CHAGRIN FALLS, Ohio — Houston Texans starters will play in their second preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, coach DeMeco Ryans said Monday.

Ryans said he believes it’s beneficial for their starters to get live physical game reps.

“I truly believe that a guy needs to get reps in a preseason game. We don’t go to the ground as you see the way we practice. We try to keep guys up and be as safe as possible in practice. I think everybody needs the opportunity to go to the ground a couple of times in the game then get up and dust yourself off and just know you’re good,” he said. “So you just have to go through and play live reps in football before live action comes in September. So you’ll see our [starters] go out and get reps this week versus Pittsburgh.

This Friday against the Steelers will be the first time the Texans’ starting offense and defense will play in a preseason game. Last Thursday, most of the Texans’ starters didn’t play in the Hall of Fame Game against the Chicago Bears that backup quarterback Davis Mills started. The game ended in the third quarter because of a severe thunderstorm, and the Bears won 21-17.

This will be the first time Pro Bowl quarterback C.J. Stroud and All-Pro wide receiver Stefon Diggs will play together after the Texans acquired Diggs from the Buffalo Bills in April. Throughout camp the duo has worked to build their chemistry on and off the field, whether it’s constant communication on the sidelines or spending time after practice working on route timing.

Diggs called their relationship a “work in progress” in late July, but he’s been impressed with the 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year.

“You see us kind of getting on the same page here and there. And nothing is going to be perfect. I starve for it, we grind for it, but getting on the same page play after play and that communication, that open line of communication, I feel like that’s going to really separate it seeing that we have such a small period of time,” Diggs said July 22. “[Stroud] is special. I think everybody kind of knows that. I must reiterate it though because I’ve seen it firsthand.”

Nick Foles will officially retire with the Philadelphia Eagles during their home opener Sept. 16 against the Atlanta Falcons.

“I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to retire as a Philadelphia Eagle,” Foles said in a statement from the Eagles. “The City of Brotherly Love has always felt like home to me as an NFL player. Philadelphia is a city I truly love, and it has been an honor to wear the Eagles jersey.”

Foles played for six teams over 11 seasons in the NFL after being drafted by Philadelphia in the third round of the 2012 NFL draft. He stepped into a starting position with the Eagles in the 2017 season, leading them to Super Bowl LII against the New England Patriots.

Foles threw for three touchdowns against New England, earning Super Bowl MVP honors, also catching one on his own in the “Philly Special” play. He became the first of two players in Super Bowl history with a passing and a receiving touchdown, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

“Nick Foles always carried himself with the utmost class and integrity, demonstrating through his actions, both on and off the field, what it meant to be a Philadelphia Eagle,” said Jeffrey Lurie, Philadelphia’s chairman and CEO. “He was the ultimate competitor, an inspiring teammate, a true representative of our city, and of course, a Super Bowl champion.”

After the Super Bowl win, Foles played with the Jacksonville Jaguars for one season before two years with the Chicago Bears. His last appearance in the NFL came with the Indianapolis Colts on Jan. 1, 2023.

Foles has the most passing yards in a single game in Eagles history (471) and shares the NFL record for most consecutive completions in a single game (25), per ESPN Stats & Info.