Houston Texans Rumors: Brian Hoyer Will Start Over Brandon Weeden When He Returns From Concussion
The Houston Texans could win the AFC South Division mainly due to how well quarterback Brandon Weeden ran the offense the past two weeks. However, coach Bill O’Brien told the Houston Chronicle that Brian Hoyer will start under center when he is cleared to return from his concussion.
The Texans (8-7) have won two straight games with Weeden running the offense and could clinch the division title and playoff berth tonight if the Cincinnati Bengals defeat the Denver Broncos. Houston could also claim a playoff spot with a win over Jacksonville on Sunday or an Indianapolis (7-8) loss to Tennessee. ESPN reports that there are eight other ways that the Texans can win the division.
Weeden, who was claimed off of waivers from the Dallas Cowboys, got off to a rocky start yesterday but was solid overall in leading Houston to a 34-6 victory over the Titans. The 32-year-old lost a fumble in the first quarter, but recovered nicely to complete 15-of-24 passes for 200 yards and two touchdowns. He finished with the best passer rating of his career of 116.7, and added 11 yards on the ground along with a rushing touchdown, thus becoming the first player in franchise history to throw for two touchdowns and run for another.
“Excellent job,” receiver Nate Washington said following the Titans game. “As much credit as I can give to Brandon Weeden for being a professional, I have to give the credit to our coaching staff. This is constant with us. It doesn’t matter who goes in at that position or who goes in and fills in anywhere. They find a way to make it happen.”
Weeden has completed 26-of-42 passes (61.9 percent) for 305 yards and three touchdowns as well as two fumbles in his two games with the Texans. Overall this season, the Oklahoma State product has completed 69.3 percent of his pass attempts (97-for-140) for 173.8 yards a game along with five touchdowns and two interceptions in six games.
The ‘Old G’ still got it. Watch Nate Washington’s AMAZING TD grab. VIDEO –> https://t.co/fI1GOdcsw4 pic.twitter.com/v1TJzaPZd8
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) December 27, 2015
Despite Weeden’s relative success, it appears that Houston will go back to Hoyer when he is game ready. Hoyer has suffered two concussions in less than a month, with the latest coming in a 27-6 loss to New England on December 13. The 30-year-old returned to practice last week, but he still hasn’t been given the “thumbs up” under the league’s concussion protocol, though he is expected to start against Jacksonville if he receives the “go ahead.”
Hoyer is 4-6 as a starter this year. He has completed 60.5 percent of his passes (199-for-329), for 217.9 yards per game. Hoyer has fumbled five times this season.
No matter when the Texans season ends, they have had a good run lately. Houston has won six-of-nine games after starting the season with a 2-5 record.
Houston, which has started four different quarterbacks this season, ranks in the bottom half of the league in most offensive categories and has only topped the 30-point mark twice. The Texans rank 24th in scoring (20.4 per game), 16th in rushing yards (104.7) and 18th in passing yards (239.4).
Ryan Mallett and T.J. Yates are the other two quarterbacks to start a game this season. Mallett is currently with the Baltimore Ravens, and Yates is out for the season with a torn ACL. Wide receiver Cecil Shorts III and current third-string quarterback B.J. Daniels has also thrown passes for the Texans.
So, how has Houston kept in playoff contention?
Defense. The Texans rank third in the league in total defense (316.5 yards a contest) and tied for 11th in scoring defense (20.5 points a game). Houston has recorded 35 sacks and is ninth in opponent quarterback rating at 84.8.
[Photo by AP Photo/Bill Wippert]
