INGLEWOOD — Here’s what we learned from the Rams’ 24-20 preseason loss to the Houston Texans on Friday night at SoFi Stadium:

Perkins making a push for No. 2 QB

Rams quarterback Bryce Perkins delivered another impressive preseason performance and now might be closing the gap on John Wolford for the No. 2 quarterback job behind Matthew Stafford.

Perkins was accurate – he completed 11 of 13 passes for 123 yards – and executed the Rams’ best offensive possession with a 13-play, 75-yard drive that ended with a 7-yard touchdown run from running back Trey Ragas to give the Rams a 20-17 lead with 5:11 in the fourth quarter.

Wolford started the game, but he spent most of the first half running from the Texans, who played most of their defensive starters. He was 14 of 22 for 142 yards before Perkins took over in the second half.

Perkins dazzled in the preseason opener last week against the Chargers while Wolford received that night off along with Stafford. Rams coach Sean McVay said earlier in the week that he wanted Wolford to play against the Texans so he could knock off some rust, but now it might be more than that.

“You’re always evaluating,” McVay said when asked if there’s a No. 2 quarterback competition. “I was pleased with John. I thought he did what he could, based on some of the circumstances and surrounding parts.

“For Bryce to lead that scoring drive, he’s just a playmaker. Good things happen and he instills that belief with guys around him, so it’s definitely something that we’re continuing to evaluate.”

Wolford was also asked about the potential quarterback battle: “That’s a question for Coach McVay. But this sport, this league, you’re always competing whether it’s with Bryce or it’s with another guy on another roster who’s doing a good job in the preseason. Nothing new there.”

Wolford also had his good moments and flashed chemistry with wide receiver Lance McCutcheon, despite rarely playing with him during training camp. McCutcheon had another standout preseason performance with five catches for 96 yards.

“If you focus on you, that’s how you play better,” Perkins said about competing with Wolford. “I think a lot of times people when they see somebody else do something they’re like, ‘Oh, I gotta make this play. I gotta do this, I gotta do that.’ Which then, at times, prevents them from actually doing it.

“John is my guy and I’ve been blessed to be with him for two years and learn from him and watch him. It was fun seeing him go out there and make plays.”

What they said about Bruss

McVay said he didn’t have an update on Logan Bruss’ right knee injury after the preseason loss to the Texans, but he provided an observation.

“It looked like he was in a right knee brace when I saw him at the end,” McVay said. “It didn’t look like it was good, though.”

Bruss, the team’s 2022 third-round pick, started the game at right guard, but he spent the second half on the bench with his right leg wrapped.

What comes next

The Rams travel to Cincinnati next week for joint scrimmages and the preseason finale against the Bengals. The last time these two teams saw each other was for Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium.

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It will be a critical week for McCutcheon, who is battling for a roster spot in a crowded wide receivers group. The backup offensive linemen had a rough outing against the Texans and McVay mentioned that he wanted to see more competition from that group.

“Obviously, you guys know the approach that we take,” McVay said. “A lot of the guys that we’re going to see being instrumental parts of what we’re doing on September 8th have not played. So there’s a premium on those practice opportunities, really looking forward to getting to Cincinnati next week on Wednesday and Thursday.

“But I think we are developing the total roster right now. You’re getting a chance to really get a lot of guys and accumulate some snaps that I think will serve them well, whether it’s early in the year or at some point later on like we saw last year.”