Should Yates get hurt, unheralded Heinicke runs the show
When Texans practice squad quarterback Taylor Heinicke was at Old Dominion, he piled up touchdown passes and rushing yards.
Heinicke finished his career with 14,969 passing yards, 132 touchdown passes, 1,320 rushing yards and 22 rushing touchdowns. He ranks fourth in Football Championship Subdivision history for touchdown passes and won the Walter Payton award and was named an All-American.
Now, the Texans are getting Heinicke ready for potential backup duty Sunday against Jacksonville. T.J. Yates will start in place of Tom Savage (concussion).
Heinicke remains on the practice squad, but he is expected to be promoted.
“I’ve been studying,” Heinicke said. “The biggest thing I can do is try to learn this offense like the back of my hand. … Before, Tom and T.J. were getting all the reps. It’s a fact that now I’m actually getting reps out there.”
Heinicke has impressed the coaching staff with his attitude, mobility and intelligence since joining the Texans’ practice squad on Nov. 29. In his third NFL season, Heinicke was previously with the New England Patriots and Minnesota Vikings.
“He’s smart,” coach Bill O’Brien said. “I think he’s an accurate passer … makes good decisions so far in practice. He’s picked up our system pretty well so far.
“He’s mobile. He can make plays on his own. That’s probably the direction that we’re headed.”