Miles Davis' TD run lifts Panthers to 16-13 win over Texans in preseason finale

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 in the preseason finale for both teams

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Carolina Panthers running back Miles Davis said his father was a huge jazz fan.

So it was a no-brainer for his pops when it came time to choosing his son's name. He named him after his favorite jazz musician.

“He was like, ‘you know what, our last name is Davis, and well, Miles Davis has a nice ring to it,” Davis said.

Davis hopes to make a name for himself in the NFL. The undrafted rookie from Utah State 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).

Davis ran for 34 yards on 11 carries and Anthony Tyus had 10 carries for 41 yards for the Panthers.

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 — or at least tie it — ended when Jeremiah Moon sacked Rypien and forced a fumble and Cam Gill recovered with 54 seconds left.

The Panthers limited the Texans to 173 yards while getting four sacks and two interceptions.

“Guys are really working on their finish,” Panthers coach Dave Canales said. “They are getting the offensive tackles’ hands off them and finishing at the quarterback. That forces teams to get the ball out before they want to.”

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.

Houston's Davis Mills and Carolina's Kenny Pickett started at quarterback, but neither could muster any points before being removed after about a quarter.

Mills finished 3 of 7 for 18 yards with one interception, while Pickett was 5 of 8 for 48 yards.