Houston Texans under severe weather delay at Hall of Fame Game

CANTON, Ohio (KTRK) — The Houston Texans showed promise in an unlikely 2023 playoff run. On Thursday night, the NFL rewards them with the Hall of Fame Game – the opening matchup of the 2024 preseason and the first NFL game since the Super Bowl 172 days ago.

The Chicago Bears, who drafted a potential generation quarterback, Caleb Williams, first overall this past April, are on the opposite sideline for the game in Canton, Ohio, where Texans great Andre Johnson will be enshrined inside the Pro Football Hall of Fame this Saturday.

ABC13 Sports lays out the critical details of the game, including where and when to watch it and whether stars like C.J. Stroud will participate.

What channel and time is the Hall of Fame Game?

ABC13 is Houston’s exclusive home of the Texans in the preseason, and while our friends ESPN produce Thursday’s game, the Hall of Fame Game is no different.

SEE ALSO: NFL’s revamped kickoff making its debut in the Hall of Fame game

ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” crew is hosting the game at 7 p.m. CT on ABC13. Play-by-play announcer Joe Buck, color commentator Troy Aikman, and sideline reporter Lisa Salters have the call.

Then, watch Eyewitness News at 10 p.m. CT for analysis and a live look at the Texans’ post-game news conferences.

ABC13’s sister properties, ESPN and ESPN+, will also show the game.

When will the Pro Football Hall of Fame induct Andre Johnson? Who’s going in with him?

Johnson – a seven-time Pro Bowl and two-time All-Pro wide receiver – officially received the nod several days before Super Bowl LVIII.

The Hall of Fame will also add Bears greats Devin Hester, Steve McMichael, and Julius Peppers; Colts great Dwight Freeney; 49ers star Patrick Willis; and Randy Gradisher.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024 enshrinement begins at noon CT on ESPN and NFL Network.

Johnson, a Miami Hurricanes alum, is the first homegrown Houston Texans player to be inducted.

SEE MORE: Houston Texans legend Andre Johnson on Pro Football Hall of Fame induction: Grown men were crying

Are C.J. Stroud and Caleb Williams playing?

While the Hall of Fame Game breaks a football dry spell for rabid sports fans, you should temper your expectations for a star-driven, competitive contest.

Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said the game, considered an extra matchup to the typical three-game preseason schedule, allows the younger players to compete for precious roster spots.

“With this first preseason game being an extra game for us, we’re really looking to see most of our young guys get out and compete and see if they can take the things we’ve been teaching them daily from the field and take it and show up when the lights are on,” Ryans said.

Ryans stopped short of revealing a list of those he plans to send out, but the safe bet is not counting on folks like Stroud, Will Anderson Jr., and new Texans like Stefon Diggs and Joe Mixon to work on the first series.

On the other sideline, ESPN reported that the Bears won’t insert Caleb Williams or any other starters in the game, enlisting QB Tyson Bagent to start instead.

This won’t be the first Texans-Bears game this season?

For those dead-set on these two teams facing off when it matters, you should circle Sunday, Sept. 15, on your calendar.

Yes, the Texans will face off with the Bears again a month and a half later in Week 2 at NRG Stadium. The game will again air in national primetime at 7:20 p.m. CT.

Ticket reseller Vivid Seats has tickets selling for as low as $151.

SEE ALSO: Texans schedule 2024: Houston-Dallas clash gets late-season ‘Monday Night Football’ spot