The Houston Texans' quarterback situation went from bad to worse during Sunday's tilt with the Indianapolis Colts. Starter Ryan Fitzpatrick broke his leg early in the second quarter while backup Tom Savage absorbed a hit to his knee that will keep him out for at least a week if not longer, according to John McClain of the Houston Chronicle. Now either Thad Lewis or the newly signed Case Keenum will start this week against the Baltimore Ravens.
Texans will start Thad Lewis or Case Keenum at QB this week
Neither quarterback has started a game for the Texans this season.
The injuries left Houston with only the journeyman Lewis on the active roster. As a result, the Texans announced the signing of Keenum off the St. Louis Rams' practice squad. Keenum spent time in Houston as a backup and occasional starter from 2012-13. He also played his college ball at the local University of Houston.
Head coach Bill O’Brien said Monday that he will make a decision on which quarterback to start later this week. While Lewis joined the team almost a month ago, he admits the offense has been difficult to learn in a short period of time, per the Houston Chronicle.
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Fitzpatrick's injury ends what had been an up-and-down first season with Houston. After opening the year as the team's starting quarterback, his performance steadily declined. Heading into the bye week, O'Brien made the switch to Ryan Mallett, seemingly ending Fitzpatrick's run as a starter. However, Mallett tore a pectoral muscle just three weeks later, returning Fitzpatrick to the starting lineup. He would start just three games before suffering a season-ending injury of his own.
As for Savage, the rookie’s chance at securing the starting job may have lasted less than three quarters. The Pittsburgh product completed 10 of his 19 passes for 127 yards and an interception. He hyperextended his knee Sunday and, like his predecessors, could miss the rest of the season.
At 7-7, the Texans have not been eliminated from the playoffs, but they remain a long shot at clinching a wild card berth. The mounting injuries at quarterback only make those odds even longer.
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