The Houston Texans have a lot of problems piling up on the team after their crushing defeat to the Miami Dolphins. With injuries running wild on the roster and their best playmaker out for the season, the Texans now must worry about their investment in Ryan Mallett as the quarterback could end up being a mid-season release if he does not improve quickly.
Mallett can simply not get out of his own way. The quarterback made headlines in the preseason when he was very vocal about being upset when Brian Hoyer was named the season starter. He struggled when he got his time under center. He then missed his flight to South Beach on Sunday and was forced to take a commercial plane to get to the game. Now, Mallett's future is under fire.
According to the Houston Chronicle, head coach Bill O'Brien wants Mallett released from the team while general manager Rick Smith continues to stand behind the quarterback despite his ongoing drama. Mallett would be an easy release right now. The quarterback has just $1.75 million guaranteed to him on his contract. He is guaranteed no money next year. The Texans have 2014 draft pick Tom Savage still on the roster who could be the backup to Hoyer if need be. Mallett will gain no trade interest by the deadline, so the only option the Texans have is to release the quarterback.
Right now, Mallett is not getting on the field and the concern is helping Hoyer win games. That will be done without Arian Foster who is officially out for the season. O'Brien confirmed via ESPN.com, that the running back suffered a torn Achilles tendon and will miss the remainder of the season.
"I know he's hurting," O'Brien said, via ESPN.com. "He worked hard to come back for the season, had the groin injury and now this injury. He's a guy that's proven he can come back from injury, and I'm sure once he's able to rehab it he'll rehab it very diligently and try to come back."
According to the Houston Chronicle, the Texans are going to stick with Alfred Blue and Chris Polk to replace Foster for the season instead of chasing free agents. There is a lot of talent available right now in Montee Ball, Ray Rice and Pierre Thomas, but the Texans have relied on Blue and Polk before and they will do so again. Both backups are certainly not home run threats and they must play their best if Hoyer is going to succeed with a balanced offense.