'It's never as bad as you think it was': Loss to Carolina spoils Texans rookie QB's first start

With starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor injured, Houston Texans rookie signal caller Davis Mills made his first start of his career during a 24-9 loss to the Carolina Panthers on Sept. 23.

Texas head coach David Culley praised the rookie quarterback and said Mills did everything that the game plan called for him to do.

“I thought he did very well. He did not turn the ball over at all, which was a big thing going into the game. I thought he threw the ball very well," Culley said.

Mills, whom the Texans (1-2) selected with their first pick of the 2021 NFL Draft in the third-round, put up mediocre numbers for the game as he was 19-for-28 and 168 yards with one touchdown.

“It’s never as bad as you think it was and it’s never as good as you think it was,” Mills said after the game. “There were obviously a couple plays I’d like back but I’ll come in tomorrow and watch the film and see what we can improve on, and also see what we did well to move forward.”

Mills added that he felt comfortable in his first start and was ready to make plays with the offense.

“We felt like we got into a good rhythm when we started pushing the tempo and kind of spreading the ball around,” he said. “Also, at the end of the (scoring) drive it felt like the defense was a little tired and we were able to attack them and make plays.”

Receiver Anthony Miller caught Davis’ TD pass right before the end of the first half, however, the Texans missed the PAT and found themselves down at the half, 7-6.

Mills often sought the team's No. 1 wideout, Brandin Cooks when he dropped back to pass as the receiver racked up 112 yards of the Texans' measly 210 offensive yards.