The Houston Texans on Tuesday will release veteran quarterback Ryan Mallett, as first reported by John McClain of the Houston Chronicle. Per McClain, the Texans and head coach Bill O'Brien simply "ran out of patience" with Mallett. The quarterback's inability to make it to the airport in time for the team's charter flight to Miami for this past weekend's game against the Dolphins, after the signal-caller showed up late for meetings on Saturday, was apparently the "last straw."
McClain also reports that the Texans are attempting to bring back quarterback T.J. Yates to replace Mallett.
Mallett, signed by Houston this offseason to compete with veteran journeyman Brian Hoyer, seemed the early favorite to take the starting gig for a Texans team hopeful of making only their third trip to the postseason in franchise history. But Hoyer eventually won out over the summer and Mallett was relegated to back up duty. Only Mallett didn't appear to take O'Brien's decision well.
Two days after Hoyer was named starter, Mallett missed a practice, claiming, in a scene with Texans GM Rick Smith captured on HBO's "Hard Knocks," that he overslept due to a new alarm clock. Smith and O'Brien were miffed, but Mallett was ultimately given the benefit of the doubt, likely considering he was the only quarterback remaining on the Texans roster besides Hoyer.
And really, it was a good thing they held onto him, as just three quarters into the Texans' season-opener, Mallett was called on by O'Brien to replace a struggling Hoyer. Mallett would go on to start four games, leading Houston to just one victory. After Hoyer replaced Mallett during Week 4 and Week 5 losses, the permanent change back to Hoyer was made. Mallett looked furious on the sideline during the team's Week 5 loss to the Indianapolis Colts and told reporters after the game that he would have been able to re-enter after leaving briefly with an injury.
With Hoyer now firmly entrenched as the starter, Mallett began his disappearing act, first showing up late for the meetings on Saturday, then missing the team flight entirely.
With his dismissal, Yates, a former fifth-round pick for the team in 2011 who started the team's first ever playoff win, was with the Atlanta Falcons in training camp, but failed to make the team, will likely be signed.
