T.J. Yates released by Houston Texans
The Houston Texans muddied quarterback situation became a little clearer with the announcement that Ryan Fitzpatrick would be the team’s starter and now comes word from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport that a challenger to be his backup has been released.
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T.J. Yates was released on Monday meaning Case Keenum, who finished the 2013 season as the starter, is safe for the time being and has the “inside track” to be the backup if Fitzpatrick is ineffective or should suffer an injury that causes him to miss any time.
Rookie and fourth round draft pick out of Pittsburgh, Tom Savage, could be in the mix as well according to Rapoport, but I would lean toward the belief that Savage will be “redshirted” as a rookie with the hopes he can compete for the starting quarterback job in 2015.
Earlier this offseason, there had been growing speculation that with four quarterbacks on the roster that either Yates or Keenum would be traded or released.
Yates was taken in the fifth round of the 2011 NFL Draft out of North Carolina and made five starts as a rookie, recording a 2-3 record down the stretch with Matt Schaub injured.
He made two starts in the 2011 postseason where he threw for 151 yards and a touchdown on 11-20 passing in the 31-10 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, but was dreadful in the following week’s game against the Baltimore Ravens when he threw three interceptions in the team’s 20-13 loss.
He appeared in seven games over the past two seasons with three interceptions on 19-32 passing and zero touchdowns.