National Football League

Report: Bill O'Brien won't commit to Texans starting QB

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 6:53 p.m. ET

foxsports

By David Kenyon

The Houston Texans quarterback situation is once again a question, and head coach Bill O’Brien isn’t ready to name a starter.

According to ESPN’s Tania Ganguli, O’Brien didn’t commit to either Ryan Mallett or Brian Hoyer after the Week 5 loss to the Indianapolis Colts.

“Brian, I thought, did a good job tonight, but we’ll talk about it. I haven’t even talked to the staff yet about it. We’ll sit down and review the film. I thought Brian did a good job though.”

Hoyer earned the initial starting nod, but Houston’s quarterback situation has been like a roller coaster. After the veteran’s porous start in the season opener, O’Brien turned to Mallett, who remained under center until the Atlanta Falcons took a 42-0 lead in Week 4.

Although Mallett was named the starter for Thursday, he temporarily exited the field due to a chest injury. But, that quickly turned temporary when Hoyer guided the Texans offense more efficiently than Mallett had.

Hoyer finished 24-of-31 for 312 yards and two touchdowns, but his final throw of the outing swiftly swung the competition door completely open. For no good reason, Hoyer lofted a third-down prayer over the middle of the field, which Indianapolis intercepted and soon sealed the game.

O’Brien and the Houston staff have a couple extra days to finalize a decision before the Texans take on the Jacksonville Jaguars on Oct. 18.

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