CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Rookie Miles Davis ran for a 1-yard touchdown, Ryan Fitzgerald kicked three field goals and the Carolina Panthers held on to defeat the Houston Texans 16-13 on Friday night in the preseason finale for both teams.
Panthers fourth-string quarterback Kyle Trask, who was signed during training camp following a hamstring injury to Haynes King in the Hall of Fame game, finished 19 of 28 for 147 yards with one interception and led four scoring drives for Carolina (3-1).
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Carolina Panthers wide receiver David Moore runs around Houston Texans' George Odom during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Kyle Trask runs against the Houston Texans during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)
Carolina Panthers running back Anthony Tyus III runs past Houston Texans' George Odum during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Scott Kinser)
Houston Texans quarterback Brett Rypien passes against the Carolina Panthers during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Scott Kinser)
Houston Texans running back Deuce Vaughn is tackled by the Carolina Panthers during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Scott Kinser)
Mills ran for 34 yards on 11 carries and Anthony Tyus had 10 carries for 41 yards.
Brett Rypien completed 13 of 23 passes for 101 yards, including a late 6-yard touchdown pass to Zay Jones for the Texans (0-3). He also threw one interception.
Houston's last-ditch effort to take its first lead of the game ended when Jeremiah Moon sacked Rypien and forced a fumble and Cam Gill recovered with 54 seconds left.
Both offensive coordinators were extremely conservative on offense playing on a field that has been waterlogged by heavy rains in the hours leading up to the game.
Neither teams played its starters.
Houston's Davis Mills and Carolina's Kenny Pickett started at quarterback, but neither could muster any points before being removed in the second quarter.
Mills finished 3 of 7 for 18 yards with one interception, while Pickett was 5 of 8 for 48 yards.
Panthers outside linebacker Trevis Gipson Sr. was a difference-maker early on, sacking Mills on the game's first possession and then pressuring him into throwing an interception to safety Lathan Ransom.
Gipson has played in 66 games during his first six seasons in the league, mostly on special teams.
The Panthers will open the season without starting offensive tackles Ickey Ekwonu (knee) and Taylor Moton (blood clots), leaving opportunities for some young players to earn a spot on the 53-man roster.
One of those is rookie Albert Reese IV, but he struggled against the Texans allowing four pressures and one sack.
Texans defensive lineman Solomon Byrd was helped off the field after his neck snapped back while trying to tackle Panthers tight end James Mitchell in the fourth quarter.
Texans: Host Buffalo in Sept 13 in season opener.
Panthers: Host Chicago on Sept. 13 in season opener.
See AP’s full NFL coverage here
Carolina Panthers wide receiver David Moore runs around Houston Texans' George Odom during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Kyle Trask runs against the Houston Texans during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)
Carolina Panthers running back Anthony Tyus III runs past Houston Texans' George Odum during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Scott Kinser)
Houston Texans quarterback Brett Rypien passes against the Carolina Panthers during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Scott Kinser)
Houston Texans running back Deuce Vaughn is tackled by the Carolina Panthers during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Scott Kinser)
DETROIT (AP) — Tarik Skubal shed some tears, walking on a field that used to be his home turf as the team that traded him away paid tribute to the two-time Cy Young Award winner with a video montage before the first pitch.
“Luckily enough, I was able to make it to the tunnel before more happened,” Skubal said after allowing one run over six innings to help the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Detroit Tigers 2-1 on Friday night. “It’s tough. This is the place I’ve known my entire career since 2018.
"It’s special.”
Skubal was welcomed with cheers and a smattering of boos in his return to Detroit, pitching for the first time against the middling franchise that traded him to the two-time defending World Series champions.
When the visitors' lineup and Skubal were shown on the videoboard and his name was announced before the first pitch, most of the crowd at Comerica Park clapped for him while some jeered.
The Tigers showed highlights from his seven-season career with the team and posted a message at the end: Thank you, Tarik.
Skubal turned his head to the right a few times to watch the video as he walked from the bullpen beyond the left-field wall and toward the Dodgers' dugout with a white towel draped around his neck, which he used to wipe away sweat and tears.
He extended his right arm, holding his glove, toward his former teammates and used his left hand to pat his chest.
After the game, Skubal returned to the field to catch up with some of his former teammates.
Skubal did not appear to react to, or acknowledge, the fans before or during the game and didn't get a chance to do so as he exited the game because a pitching change was made after the sixth inning in a 1-all game. He struck out seven over six innings with 83 pitches, the fewest since he threw 74 in the season-opening game in March.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the plan was to limit Skubal's pitches after he threw 106 and 109 in his previous two starts.
In a crowd that had mixed emotions about Skubal’s return, a couple young fans had fitting outfits sporting white Tigers jerseys with 29 and Skubal on the back — and a blue Dodgers hat.
When the left-hander jogged to the mound to pitch for the first time as a visitor in the Motor City, booing fans were heard first followed by more cheers from fans in the stands.
His first pitch was delayed because he appeared to have trouble with his communication device.
After throwing a 96-mph fastball for a ball, Gleyber Torres hit Skubal's second pitch to center for a double and the crowd roared in unison.
Skubal settled in, striking out Hao-Yu Lee and All-Star Kevin McGonigle and getting All-Star Dillon Dingler to fly out.
“It’s weird to see him on the other side,” McGonigle said before the game.
Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said the team's familiarity with Skubal might not be helpful at the plate.
“If anybody knows him, it’s us,” Hinch said. “You can know everything about a pitcher, that doesn’t make it easy to hit.”
That was evident when Skubal retired 12 straight batters, including striking out the side in the third, before Eduardo Valencia led off the fifth with a double. Max Clark followed with a two-out triple in the inning to break a scoreless tie.
The 29-year-old Skubal was drafted by Detroit out of Seattle University in the ninth round of the 2018 draft and spent his entire career with the Tigers until they dealt him earlier this month.
Skubal said in July that it was his preference to finish the season with the Tigers and to compete for a World Series championship, which has eluded the franchise since 1984. The Tigers, though, thought it was wise to trade him before the deadline to acquire three minor league prospects instead of likely losing him in free agency.
See AP’s full MLB coverage here
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tarik Skubal throws against the Detroit Tigers during the fourth inning of a baseball game Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tarik Skubal throws against the Detroit Tigers during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tarik Skubal smiles in the dugout against the Detroit Tigers during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tarik Skubal throws against the Detroit Tigers during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tarik Skubal throws against the Detroit Tigers during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tarik Skubal claps as he walks to the dugout before the first inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
