HOUSTON (AP) — Houston Texans rookie Marlin Klein played just 11 snaps in his NFL debut Thursday night against the Los Angeles Chargers.
But it was more than enough to impress coach DeMeco Ryans.
Klein, a tight end who was born in Germany and moved to the United States to play football at age 16, had a 31-yard reception on Houston's first drive in a 27-7 loss.
“I thought he really shined today,” Ryans said of the second-round draft pick. “Everybody saw
the pass that he caught. It’s where I see him where he can excel for our offense and just open the offense. His catch radius is tough to guard it.”
But it wasn't only the catch that caught Ryans' eye.
“Watching him blocking in the running game, I saw him finishing some blocks there exactly how we want it done,” Ryans said. “So a ton of positives there for him.”
Klein, who played at Michigan, was thrilled to make an impact in his first game.
“It’s something that I’ve been dreaming about ever since I was a little kid,” he said. “It was the reason why I moved over here to the States to play in a game like this, so it meant a lot to me.”
Amar Johnson ran for two touchdowns and had a 55-yard reception to lead the Chargers to the victory.
Most of the starters for both teams, including the quarterbacks — Houston's C.J. Stroud and Los Angeles' Justin Herbert — sat out.
Johnson scored on a 7-yard run that put the Chargers on top 10-7 in the second quarter on a drive led by backup quarterback Trey Lance. Johnson, an undrafted free agent entering his second season, scored again on a 1-yard scamper early in the fourth quarter and ran in the 2-point conversion that pushed the lead to 21-7.
He put the team in scoring position with his 55-yard reception from D.J. Uiagalelei on the previous play.
“He looked like he had some burst and some speed,” coach Jim Harbaugh said. "He’s got that in him, and it was good to see him show that tonight.”
Davis Mills started for the Texans and threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Jared Wayne on the first series, during which he played with the starting offensive line before being replaced by Graham Mertz.
But he was forced back into action to start the second half after Mertz was injured with 2 seconds left in the second quarter. Houston coach DeMeco Ryans said Mertz injured an ACL and that they'd have more information about the injury after further evaluation.
Mills finished the game and was 9 of 15 for 82 yards.
Lance, the third overall pick in the 2021 draft, was 12 of 20 for 164 yards with an interception.
Uiagalelei made it 27-7 with a 3-yard touchdown pass to Devonte Ross with about 10 minutes remaining.
Along with Klein, several other draft picks for both teams made their debuts. Keylan Rutledge, the 26th overall pick, started at center with the rest of Houston’s starting line.
Defensive tackle Kayden McDonald, taken by the Texans in the second round, looked good in limited snaps.
Chargers defensive end Akheem Mesidor, the 22nd pick, and second-round offensive lineman Jake Slaughter both made plays.
Pro Bowler Cameron Dicker made field goals of 34 and 48 yards for the Chargers, but missed an extra point in the fourth quarter. Houston’s starting kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn didn’t play and the Texans used undrafted free agent Chris Freeman. He made an extra point, but missed a 61-yard field goal at the end of the first half.
Chargers: Host San Francisco next Thursday night.
Texans: Host Las Vegas next Thursday night.
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