Texans Ryan Mallett Named Week Two Starter vs. Carolina

After a diasastrous opening start when he threw an interception on his first pass, Brian Hoyer has been given the hook.

After a rough preseason that included oversleeping practice, Ryan Mallett is back in the starting lineup.

Sources from inside the Texans are stating that coach Bill O’Brien is ready to make a change following Houston’s 27-17 loss to Kansas City on Sunday. Ryan Mallett, who was traded to the Texans late last season, will be the team’s starting quarterback when they head to Carolina to face Cam Newton and the Panthers.

Mallett has started one game for Houston before, and was solid in a Week 10 win over the Browns last season. That game also marked a low point for Hoyer, who had an abysmal game that day as Cleveland QB. That was the last start for Hoyer last season, and the former Patriot reuninted with former OC Bill O’Brien this summer.

During training camp the battle was close, but O’Brien named Hoyer the starter before the team’s third preseason game. Mallett wasn’t terrible this summer, but Hoyer showed quickness and sharp decision-making skills that O’Brien preferred over the stronger Mallett.

The decision became cloudy after Hoyer’s performance Sunday, in addition to the solid play of Mallett, who filled in for the team’s final two drives. Mallett quickly led he Texans down the field for the late score, raising doubts about O’Brien’s choice of starter.

Sunday in Carolina, Mallett gets to right that wrong.

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