The Houston Texans are once again facing issues with their offense. Things were looking up when head coach Bill O'Brien opted to start Ryan Mallett over Ryan Fitzpatrick and the result was a win over the Cleveland Browns. However, Mallett's stint as a starter is officially over for now, leaving the Texans with no other option but to go back to Fitzpatrick as the starter and now Thad Lewis as his backup.
The Texans have officially ruled Mallett out for the remainder of the season after the quarterback suffered a torn pectoral muscle. The injury occurred during the game against the Browns, but was originally labeled as a chest injury. After suffering through pain against the Cincinnati Bengals, Mallett was evaluated and now his season is done.
The backup quarterback was acquired prior to the season beginning of the season and replaced Fitzpatrick after the veteran struggled with the offense. However, the 10-year veteran is now back under center leaving the Texans with some uncertainty. The team has not officially named Fitzpatrick the Week 13 starter. However, it seems unlikely they will go with rookie Tom Savage who has not seen the field all season or Lewis who was just acquired on Monday.
"I have no idea. We just came in and got a workout," Fitzpatrick said, via the Houston Chronicle. "There's a lot of things swirling in the air right now. But there's not a whole lot of information, other than what you guys probably know. I'm not really sure. I don't know what's going on. Maybe when things get figured I'll probably have a better shot at talking to you guys and giving (you) something but I don't know anything."
If Fitzpatrick is in fact under center, it could be mean for bad fantasy weeks for players like Andre Johnson and DeAndre Hopkins. Fitzpatrick was benched because the offense was stalling under his leadership. The quarterback was completing 61.8 percent of his passes for 11 touchdowns and eight interceptions in nine starts, but O'Brien favored the spark of Mallett better.
Johnson and Hopkins were frustrated with Fitzpatrick under center. However, both players have told the media that regardless of who the quarterback is, they must go out and do their job in order to help the Texans win games. Houston faces the Tennessee Titans in Week 13 which is a game that can be won by their defense alone, but if Fitzpatrick struggles it will a long day for Hopkins and Johnson.
"It's like riding a bike," said Fitzpatrick. "It's what being a quarterback is. It's what kind of my whole career has been."
