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How to Watch Carolina Panthers vs. Houston Texans: Time, TV Channel and Live Stream – 2026 Preseason Week 3
Posted August 27, 2026
The Carolina Panthers conclude their 2026 preseason Friday, August 28, when they host the Houston Texans at Bank of America Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET.
Carolina enters the finale following early exhibition matchups against Arizona, Buffalo, and Jacksonville. Houston arrives in Charlotte after preseason contests against the Los Angeles Chargers and Las Vegas Raiders.
The final exhibition is likely to feature extensive work for Carolina’s younger players. The Panthers have several roster competitions still developing, particularly along the defensive front, at safety, and among the reserve skill positions. Houston, meanwhile, is unlikely to play starting quarterback C.J. Stroud.
Carolina Panthers vs. Houston Texans: Preseason Storylines & Insights
Young Panthers Get Their Final Opportunity: Carolina’s rookies and reserves will have one final game to make their case before roster cutdowns. Young defensive linemen and edge rushers have received significant preseason work and continue earning attention ahead of final roster decisions.
Panthers’ Receiver Competition Remains Worth Watching: The young receiving corps continues to make key plays in camp. The finale gives the Panthers another opportunity to evaluate the depth behind their established starters.
C.J. Stroud Unlikely to Play: Houston’s coaching staff indicated earlier this week that key starters probably won’t play significant snaps. Backup quarterbacks Davis Mills and Case Keenum are expected to handle the majority of the offensive snaps.
Carolina Panthers Key Players
Rookie Defensive Linemen & Secondary Depth: The young defensive rotation continues to make progress during training camp. They are among the most intriguing young defensive players to watch in the finale.
Young Receivers & Special Teams Contributors: Friday provides another opportunity for the younger pass catchers and return specialists to separate themselves before roster decisions.
Houston Texans Key Players
Backup Quarterbacks: With Stroud expected to sit, the game should shift much of the offensive evaluation toward the reserve quarterback group. That makes the Carolina finale particularly important for Houston’s depth chart behind its established starter.
Houston’s Reserve Secondary & Linebackers: Young defenders fighting for roster spots will get extensive reps against Carolina’s depth skill players and offensive line reserves.
2026 Preseason Schedules
Carolina Panthers’ 2026 Preseason Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Score/Time | TV |
| Thursday, Aug. 6 | vs. Arizona Cardinals (Hall of Fame Game) | W, 33-30 | NBC |
| Saturday, Aug. 15 | at Buffalo Bills | L, 14-29 | WJZY (FOX 46) |
| Friday, Aug. 21 | at Jacksonville Jaguars | W, 34-17 | WJZY (FOX 46) |
| Friday, Aug. 28 | vs. Houston Texans | 7:00 PM ET | WJZY (FOX 46) |
Carolina finishes its 2026 preseason with a home finale at Bank of America Stadium after back-to-back road exhibition contests.
Houston Texans’ 2026 Preseason Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Score/Time | TV |
| Thursday, Aug. 13 | vs. Los Angeles Chargers | L, 7-27 | KTRK (ABC 13) |
| Thursday, Aug. 20 | vs. Las Vegas Raiders | L, 20-22 | KTRK (ABC 13) |
| Friday, Aug. 28 | at Carolina Panthers | 7:00 PM ET | KTRK (ABC 13) |
Houston closes its preseason schedule on the road in Charlotte after hosting back-to-back exhibition games at NRG Stadium.
How to Watch Carolina Panthers vs. Houston Texans
When: Friday, August 28, 2026, at 7:00 PM ET.
Where: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina.
National TV: No national live television broadcast is currently listed.
Local TV: Carolina — WJZY (FOX 46) and Panthers TV Network affiliates. Houston — KTRK-TV (ABC 13).
Streaming: Viewers in the local broadcast markets and designated international markets can stream on Panthers.com and the official Panthers App. NFL+ / NFL+ Premium carries eligible out-of-market preseason games live or on-demand, subject to restrictions.
Radio: Carolina coverage airs on 99.7 The Fox and the Panthers Radio Network. Anish Shroff handles play-by-play with Jim Szoke and Jake Delhomme as analysts. Houston coverage airs on SportsRadio 610 AM / 100.3 FM The Bull.
