Shortly after naming Ryan Fitzpatrick their starting signal-caller heading into training camp, the Texans have trimmed their depth chart at the position. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter), Houston has released quarterback T.J. Yates.
Yates, a fifth-round pick in 2011, has spent the last three seasons with the Texans, most notably starting five games for the club in his rookie year and winning a playoff game in that season. Since then, he has seen limited action, completing 19 of 32 attempts in the last two years, with no touchdowns and three interceptions.
A report last week suggested the Texans may release a quarterback before training camp, and considering Fitzpatrick and Tom Savage were locks to make the roster, the choice essentially came down to Yates and Case Keenum. With Yates out of the picture in Houston, Keenum and Savage figure to compete for the backup job behind Fitzpatrick.
Because he’s only in his fourth NFL season, Yates will have to clear waivers before he’s free to sign with any other team. As Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun notes (via Twitter), the Ravens are worth keeping an eye on, since former Houston coach Gary Kubiak is now the offensive coordinator in Baltimore, and the club doesn’t have a clear-cut No. 2 option behind Joe Flacco.