The Texans begin their preseason schedule with a rare Wednesday night game.
The Texans will travel from training camp at The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, W. Va., and play at Carolina on Aug. 9 at 6:30 p.m.
All of their remaining preseason games have 7 p.m. starts.
After playing the Panthers, the Texans don't play again until 10 days later — Aug. 19 at NRG Stadium against New England, the defending Super Bowl champion.
The Texans visit New Orleans on Aug. 27 to play the Saints before closing the preseason Aug. 31, a Thursday, at home against the Dallas Cowboys.