The Houston Texans finished the preseason undefeated by beating the Dallas Cowboys 28-17 Thursday night at AT&T Stadium.

The final tune-up before the regular season was short on starters, as both clubs were determined to protect their big guns for Week 1.

Second-year running back Akeem Hunt scored two touchdowns and third-string quarterback Brandon Weeden, a one-time Dallas backup, led two touchdown drives in the second quarter for the 4-0 Texans.

Dallas (1-3) was in the unenviable position of not having their top three quarterbacks available. Tony Romo is likely out 6-10 weeks after suffering a fractured bone in his back against Seattle in the third preseason game.

The Cowboys couldn't play backup Dak Prescott because they can't afford to get the rookie hurt for the opener against their NFC East rival New York Giants. The team's original backup, Kellen Moore, broke his leg early in training camp.

That left Jameill Showers, a practice team quarterback last season, to start against the Texans. (The Cowboys signed Jerrod Johnson, who was cut by Baltimore on Monday, to back up Showers.)

Dallas rookie running back Darius Jackson caught three passes, including an 18-yard touchdown from Showers in the first quarter. Showers was 10-for-25 for 91 yards and an interception.

Weeden's 64-yard scoring pass to Keith Mumphery enabled Houston to take a 14-10 lead going into halftime. Weeden was 9-13 for 116 yards, one touchdown and one pick.

The Texans tied it at 7-7 after Hunt's 3-yard touchdown in the second quarter. Hunt caught a 10-yard touchdown pass from backup quarterback Tom Savage (12-18, 119 yards) in the third.

Cowboys cornerback Anthony Brown had a 59-yard touchdown interception return off Weeden late in the third quarter.

Houston corner Antonio Allen had a 9-yard interception return late in the fourth to finish off the scoring.

Among those who didn't play were Dallas first-round pick Ezekiel Elliott, along with Dez Bryant and Jason Witten. Houston's no-shows included Brock Osweiler, J.J. Watt, Lamar Miller and DeAndre Hopkins.