Newly anointed Texans starting QB Hoyer sharp

Brian Hoyer led scoring drives on two of his first three series since being named Houston’s starting quarterback, and the visiting Texans went on to a 27-13 preseason victory over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.

All three Texans quarterbacks led scoring drives. Ryan Mallett, who was upset this past week upon learning he’d be the backup, threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to Jaelen Strong. In the fourth quarter, Tom Savage hit Chandler Worthy for a 6-yard score.

Cardinals 30, Raiders 23: Marion Grice scored on an 11-yard run with 31 seconds left and Arizona defeated Oakland at Oakland, California.

The Raiders (1-2) got five field goals from Sebastian Janikowski in the first half but didn’t get into the end zone until Matt McGloin led an 83-yard drive late in the fourth quarter.

Carson Palmer threw two interceptions and was sacked three times in a rough first half for the Cardinals (1-2).

Quick kicks

Outside linebacker Ahmad Brooks will not practice this coming week with the San Francisco 49ers, who sent him away from the team after he was charged with misdemeanor sexual battery Wednesday. … Rams running back Tre Mason, the likely starter while Todd Gurley rehabs from knee surgery, has been ruled out of the preseason finale with a right hamstring injury. Mason probably will be questionable for the opener Sept. 13 against the Seahawks. … An MRI exam revealed that rookie defensive lineman Leonard Williams has a muscle strain behind one of his knees, and the New York Jets avoided a potentially devastating injury to their first-round draft pick.