Former Wisconsin WR one of highest-graded players in Houston Texans' 2024 preseason opener

Former Wisconsin wide receiver Quintez Cephus was one of PFF’s highest-graded Houston Texans in their preseason-opening win against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Cephus caught all three targets during the contest for 18 total receiving yards. All three catches came on the same drive early in the fourth quarter, the first going for -2 yards and the next two for 15 and five yards respectively. PFF gave him an 81.0 overall grade for the contest.

The former Wisconsin wide receiver signed with the Texans in July after spending three of the first four years of his NFL career with the Detroit Lions.

Cephus was originally a fifth-round pick of the Lions in the 2020 NFL draft. He began with a strong debut season in 2020, recording 349 yards and two touchdowns on 20 total receptions. He then missed most of 2021 with a shoulder injury, missed most of 2022 with an injury and then was ineligible to play in 2023 due to a gambling suspension.

The former Badger signed with the Buffalo Bills in April, 2024 before being released in mid-May. He then signed with the Texans in July, where he is currently battling to make the 53-man roster.

Fourth quarter snaps in a preseason game usually mean a shaky position on the roster. That is the case with Cephus given his late signing, though his strong debut may lead to more earlier snaps in future contests.

Cephus is currently listed as a fourth-string wide receiver on the Texans depth chart entering the second week of preseason action.

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