T.J.’S TIME?
Spotlight focuses on backup since Hoyer is unlikely to be ready
As Brian Hoyer recovers from a a concussion, T.J Yates looms as the likely starter.
Standing inside the Texans’ locker room Wednesday, backup quarterback T.J. Yates’ usual routine had changed dramatically as he was surrounded by a crowd of reporters.
Starting quarterback Brian Hoyer isn’t expected to play Sunday against the New York Jets despite improving symptoms as he remains under the NFL concussion testing protocol, according to sources not authorized to speak publicly. So Yates is involved in an accelerated crash course on the nuances of the Texans’ playbook as he prepares to start a game for the first time since his rookie season four years ago.
After manufacturing a comeback victory over the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night behind his perfect spiral to wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins for the game-winning touchdown pass, Yates’ challenge now is building on that impressive performance on a larger scale against the Jets’ stout defense at NRG Stadium.
Yates has been huddling with coach Bill O’Brien and offensive coordinator George Godsey since Tuesday to collaborate on a game plan tailored to his knowledge of the plays and the strengths of his game.
“You know it’s different,” Yates said. “You obviously get more reps so you feel more comfortable going into the game. Some of those plays I ran in the game were the first time I’ve ever run them, period, practice or game, so you feel more comfortable going in, getting more reps during the week.”
Weeden in the mix
Hours after O’Brien acknowledged Hoyer was questionable for Sunday and declared Yates would start if Hoyer is out and practice squad quarterback Zac Dysert would be the backup, “as we stand here right now,’ the Texans acquired quarterback Brandon Weeden off waivers from the Dallas Cowboys.
Weeden will join the Texans for practice Thursday morning and start preparing to back up Yates. The Texans cut cornerback Jumal Rolle to create a roster spot for Weeden.
Winless in three games as a starter for Dallas this year while throwing two touchdown passes and two interceptions, Weeden was cut as Tony Romo returned from a broken collarbone.
Weeden, 32, is a former Cleveland Browns firstround draft pick from Oklahoma State who passed for 5,116 yards with 23 touchdown passes and 26 interceptions in two seasons. In the 2013 season, Hoyer took over for Weeden when he broke his thumb. Then, Hoyer tore his anterior cruciate ligament and Weeden regained the job before being replaced by Jason Campbell.
Change has been the watchword for the Texans’ quarterback position. Hoyer started the season opener, but he was replaced by Ryan Mallett, who went 1-3 as the starter before being replaced by Hoyer. Chronically late for team activities, Mallett was released after missing a team charter flight for a game at Miami.
Now, Hoyer is hurt, Yates is getting ready to start, and Weeden is set to back him up.
Yates’ sharp intellect is regarded as a key to the Texans’ prospects Sunday.
“T.J. is a guy that learns really well, very fast learner,” O’Brien said. “T.J. threw the ball well. We have been impressed with him coming back and where he is at and, obviously, what he did in the Cincinnati game was pretty impressive.”
Still, the Texans plan to scale down their playbook to account for Yates’ level of knowledge.
“It’s a challenge for T.J. to catch himself back up,” Godsey said. “I think going into a game as a backup you have a certain plan, but as a starter that plan really gets a little bit bigger. We’re going to have to spend a lot of time, T.J. and I, just making sure that we put the unit in the best position to succeed.”
Situation nothing new
A former Texans fifthround draft pick from North Carolina where he set school passing records, Yates has always been known more for his intangibles and clutch play than his size and arm strength.
Yates’ poise and unflappable nature have paid dividends for him, including helping lead the Texans to their first playoff berth in 2011 and first playoff victory against the Bengals later that season.
He’ll need those qualities against a formidable Jets defense headlined by cornerback Darrelle Revis and defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson.
“I don’t try to make anything too big,” Yates said. “I don’t really get too nervous, just go out there and play ball and trust the guys around me.”
Yates made his first NFL start Dec. 4, 2011 at NRG Stadium against the Atlanta Falcons, passing for 188 yards and one TD to lead the Texans to a 17-10 win with Matt Schaub out with a broken collarbone.
“It was very loud,” said Yates, who was traded to the Falcons last year in exchanged for linebacker Akeem Dent. “That was a special day against Atlanta. I was just a young, dumb rookie back then, but that was still very special, good win for us then.”
Yates has a special appreciation of this opportunity, considering he was unemployed until Oct. 28 when the Texans signed him after cutting Mallett.
“To kind of look back, first six, seven weeks I was sitting on the couch watching football,” Yates said. “So, I’m just very thankful to have this opportunity.”