Davis Mills has dressed because the Texans’ backup quarterback every week this season with C.J. Stroud working because the starter. The latter is out for Sunday’s recreation, although, which led to the expectation Mills could be elevated to the No. 1 position briefly.
Instead, Houston will give the nod to Case Keenum. As ESPN’s DJ Bien-Aime notes, the veteran is now in line to begin after spending each recreation in 2023 because the Texans’ emergency third-stringer. Keenum final began throughout a two-game stint with the Browns. His solely motion since then was a pair of appearances final season with the Payments, throughout which he tried a complete of seven passes.
Provided that gentle workload, together with Mills’ familiarity with the Texans, the transfer comes as one thing of a shock. Mills began 26 video games between 2021-22 after becoming a member of the staff as a third-rounder. Regardless of a 2-9 file as a rookie, the Stanford product flashed potential at occasions, incomes the No. 1 position in his second marketing campaign. A regression proved an improve below middle could be wanted within the offseason, nonetheless, resulting in the choice to draft Stroud second total in April.
Stroud’s extremely spectacular rookie marketing campaign has been interrupted by a concussion, leaving the Texans with a call to make within the coronary heart of a playoff push. Mills and Keenum break up first-team reps through the week, Bien-Aime provides, so at the moment’s information factors to the latter having impressed over the previous few days. Keenum has made 64 begins in his profession, which started in 2013 with Houston.
The previous UFDA has posted a profitable file solely twice in a season, although, leaving him to bounce across the NFL all through his tenure. The 35-year-old was seen by some as a luxurious within the Texans’ QB room given Mills’ continued presence and the addition of Stroud within the draft. The staff made it clear they have been not looking to trade him upfront of the deadline, a stance which has now confirmed to be fairly important.
Houston is considered one of six AFC groups that entered Week 15 with a 7-6 file and thus in place to compete for a wild-card spot. The Texans are additionally one recreation behind the Jaguars for the lead within the AFC South, leaving loads to play for on Sunday. Head coach DeMeco Ryans has expressed optimism about Stroud’s progress in recovering from the concussion, so he might return in time for Week 16. For now, although, the Texans’ offense will depend on Keenum’s capability to carry out in his season debut.