Texans morning huddle: Change at quarterback, receiver shipped to Patriots
By Randy Gurzi
This is a gapped day to be a fan of the Houston Texans. The team is really going to give the reins to the quarterback the fans have wanted to see. Also, a disappointing player that didn’t even dress in Week 1 has been traded, perhaps paving the way for a youngster to make his mark. All that and more can be found by clicking the links below to stories from some of the great writers around the internet. Enjoy;
Ryan Mallett to replace Brian Hoyer as starting QB for Houston Texans – by Eric Prisbell, USA Today Sports
"Bill O’Brien decided days ago who will start for his Houston Texans team at quarterback Sunday against the Carolina Panthers.He tried to keep it a secret, telling everyone on Wednesday they would find out Sunday.No such luck.A person associated with the team confirmed to USA TODAY that O’Brien will make a change at quarterback and will start Ryan Mallett against Carolina on Sunday. The person requested anonymity because people were told not to comment on the quarterback situation.NFL Network and the Houston Chronicle were the first to report Mallett would get the start.Brian Hoyer started in Week 1, but struggled before being replaced by Mallett in the fourth quarter of a 27-20 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.When asked Wednesday if he has already informed the quarterbacks which one is starting, O’Brien only said that the decision is in the best interest of the team.Hoyer, who lost his starting job with the Cleveland Browns last season to rookie Johnny Manziel, beat out Mallett in a quarterback competition in training camp in large part, O’Brien said, because of his consistency. That decision left Mallett a little “angry” because he said he felt he did enough in training camp to win the job.In the season opener, Hoyer completed 18 of 34 passes for 236 yards with one touchdown and one interception. With just over six minutes left in the game, Mallett entered the game with the Texans trailing, 27-9.Mallett completed 8 of 13 passes for 98 yards. He threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to DeAndre Hopkins and hooked up with Hopkins for the two-point conversion."
Jadeveon Clowney’s homecoming – by Deepi Sidhu, HoustonTexans.com
"On Sunday, Jadeveon Clowney will be playing just 27 miles from his hometown of Rock Hill, South Carolina. He’ll face another No. 1 overall draft selection in Cam Newton, a quarterback he has followed throughout his college and NFL career.There’s a lot for the second-year outside linebacker to be excited for, but he’s got a new appreciation for every game of the 2015 season.“All of them are special to me because I’m out here this year,” Clowney said. “I’m happy to be back out there so all of them are special.”Clowney, who will be playing just his second game after December’s microfracture knee surgery, will gradually see his playing time increase each week. All the rehab he did this summer made him stronger than he’s ever been, he says, and he’s ready to play more.“It benefitted everything around me because I had to push myself more and more than I ever did this offseason because of my knee,” Clowney said. “And I got a lot stronger. I got everything else stronger around my knee, upper body, legs, hips, and all.”Now he heads back to the Carolinas for Sunday’s game against the Panthers and his phone hasn’t stopped ringing since Sunday evening. Clowney has already gotten ticket requests from about 30-40 family members and friends.“My whole check is gone,” Clowney joked.Many of his closest friends and family members have never seen Clowney in NFL action. The Texans 2014 No. 1 overall pick is trying to accommodate as many as he can."
Report: Patriots trade for Texans WR Martin – by Chris Wesseling, NFL.com
"The New England Patriots have pulled the trigger on a trade to strengthen their wide receiver corps.Bill Belicheck’s outfit acquired wide receiver and kick returner Keshawn Martin from the Houston Texans, John McClain of the Houston Chronicle reported Wednesday.After waiving undrafted rookie Chris Harper early this week, the Pats’ options at the position were limited to Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola and Aaron Dobson.A fourth-round pick out of Michigan State in 2012, Martin has totaled 416 yards and three touchdowns on 38 receptions while toggling between third and fourth on the depth chart. His primary contributions have come on special teams."
Is J.J. Watt the Texans’ third tight end? – by Tania Ganguli, ESPN
"A sheepish grin crossed J.J. Watt’s face when presented with the question.Now that the Houston Texans have only two tight ends on the 53-man roster, having placed Ryan Griffin on short-term injured reserve, has Watt been begging the coaches to give him more snaps at tight end?“Heh heh heh heh,” Watt replied. Then he paused for effect. “Maybe.”An aha moment spread over the room."