Teams with high hopes of better things in 2024 kicked off the NFL’s preseason schedule on Thursday night with the annual Hall of Fame Game.

But the players primarily responsible for the optimism didn’t play, as second-teamers and prospects battling for spots on the regular-season roster and the practice squad got most of the playing time in the Chicago Bears’ 21-17 victory over the Houston Texans at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio.

The game was called by the NFL with 3:31 remaining in the third quarter because of thunderstorms.

Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud went from the second selection in the 2023 NFL Draft to the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, as Houston improved from three wins in 2022 to the AFC South title and a playoff victory in 2023, leaving Houston with Super Bowl hopes for 2024.

The Bears used the first pick in the 2024 NFL Draft on Southern Cal quarterback Caleb Williams, anchoring optimism in an organization that has had one winning record in the past 11 seasons.

But neither Stroud nor Williams played on Thursday night.

Quarterback Brett Rypien threw three touchdown passes, including two to wide receiver Collin Johnson, to spark Chicago. In NFL regular-season play, Rypien most recently threw a touchdown pass in 2022 and Johnson most recently caught one in 2020.

The teams have 17 players from Alabama high schools and colleges on their rosters, but only six played on Thursday night:

· Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. (Alabama) did not play.

· Bears fullback Khari Blasingame (Buckhorn) did not play.

· Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (Clay-Chalkville) did not play.

· Byron Cowart (Auburn) started at defensive tackle for the Bears. Cowart made three tackles, recorded one sack, registered two tackles for loss and forced a fumble. Cowart did not play during the 2023 season.

· Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (Alabama A&M) did not play.

· Bears tight end Gerald Everett (UAB/South Alabama) did not play.

· Texas linebacker Christian Harris (Alabama) did not play.

· Texans defensive tackle Marcus Harris (Park Crossing, Auburn) made one tackle in his pro debut. Harris was a seventh-round selection in the NFL Draft on April 27.

· Texans offensive tackle Tytus Howard (Monroe County, Alabama State) did not play.

· Bears wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. (Saraland) did not play.

· Texans cornerback Kamari Lassiter (American Christian) did not play.

· John Metchie III (Alabama) started at wide receiver for the Texans. Metchie had a 4-yard reception.

· Bears defensive back Reddy Steward (Austin, Troy) made one tackle in pro debut. Steward signed with Chicago as an undrafted rookie.

· Texans linebacker Henry To’oTo’o (Alabama) did not play.

· Bears punter Corliss Waitman (South Alabama) averaged 44.0 yards on three punts, with a 42.7-yard net.

· Texans safety Jimmie Ward (Davidson) did not play.

· Texans offensive tackle Kilian Zierer (Auburn) recovered a fumble by the Houston offense. Zierer was injured and missed the 2023 season.

The game marked the debut of the NFL’s new kickoff rules. Seven kickoffs were returned for an average of 22.7 yards.

Chicago continues its preseason schedule against the Buffalo Bills at noon CDT Aug. 10 at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York. NFL Network will televise the game.

Houston plays the Pittsburgh Steelers at 6 p.m. Aug. 9 at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh. NFL Network will televise the game.

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.