Texans rally to beat 49ers in preseason action

Blaine Gabbert overcame a shaky start to throw a 43-yard touchdown pass to Vance McDonald before the Houston Texans rallied in the second half against San Francisco’s reserves to beat the 49ers, 24-13, on Sunday in the exhibition opener for both teams in Santa Clara.

Brock Osweiler didn’t fare as well in his Texans debut, failing to lead Houston to any points in three drives. Houston got on the board early when John Simon returned a fumble by Carlos Hyde 41 yards for a touchdown but struggled to generate any offense with its starters.

With Colin Kaepernick sitting out because of tightness in his throwing shoulder, Gabbert got the stage to himself in the battle to win San Francisco’s starting quarterback job for first-year Coach Chip Kelly.

Gabbert, who started the final eight games last season, did little to improve his position in the first two drives. He was off-target on his first two passes as San Francisco went three and out in 41 seconds on the opening drive and he started the game one for six overall.

But Gabbert was much more effective on the third drive when he scrambled 13 yards for a first down and then hit McDonald for the long score when Benardrick McKinney slipped in coverage.

Gabbert finished four for 10 for 63 yards and a touchdown.

Osweiler, who signed a $72-million, four-year contract with Houston in the off-season, went four for seven for 27 yards.

Panthers’ DeHaven steps down

Carolina Panthers special teams coordinator Bruce DeHaven has decided to step down from his position and move into an advisory role with the team while continuing his battle with prostate cancer.

The team announced that Thomas McGaughey has been promoted to special teams coordinator and Chase Blackburn to special teams assistant.

DeHaven will return to Buffalo, N.Y., to receive cancer treatments with the hopes of returning to the team as an adviser in mid-September.

The 67-year-old DeHaven was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2015 before his 29th season as an NFL assistant coach.

Etc.

Titans offensive lineman Josue Matias will need surgery to repair a tear of his patella tendon, and Coach Mike Mularkey says the guard will be headed to injured reserve. Mularkey said that Matias will need six months to recover and already had surgery on the knee. ...

New York Giants first-round draft pick Eli Apple has a strained knee and his status is being listed as day to day. Coach Ben McAdoo also said that wide receiver Victor Cruz was still being bothered by a groin problem and was day to day.