The Houston Texans announced third-string quarterback Case Keenum will start on Sunday against the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs. Keenum, 25, leapfrogged over T.J. Yates to earn the start in place of the injured Matt Schaub, something coach Gary Kubiak hopes will "spark" the 2-4 Texans.
Below are five things about the relatively unknown Keenum.
1. Yates, the incumbent backup quarterback, failed to impress on Sunday when he started for the injured Schaub. Yates completed 12-of-17 passes for 98 yards, zero touchdowns and two interceptions in the Texans' 13-38 loss.
With Yates unable to move the offense and Schaub still recovering from an ankle and foot injury, Kubiak decided to give Keenum a chance.
"We're struggling and we're looking for a spark," Kubiak told reporters on Thursday, via ESPN.
2. Keenum, a 2012 undrafted free agent out of the University of Houston, spent his entire rookie season on the practice squad. After being inactive for the first six games this season, Keenum is poised to make his first-ever NFL start on Sunday.
"I got a lot more practice reps and it was fun," Keenum told the Texans website earlier on Thursday. "It was fun running our offense and getting ready to play a game. That's how I'm seeing it right now and trying to bring a lot of energy and fun to practice this week and the game. I think today was a good start."
With running backs Arian Foster and Ben Tate in the back field, Keenum will be asked to manage the game.
3. Keenum shattered records in college, including the NCAA career records for passing touchdowns and pass completions. In his final year at the University of Houston, he completed 71.0 percent of his passes for 5,631 yards, 48 touchdowns and five interceptions.
4. Keenum is an undersized quarterback (6'1", 205 lbs). The biggest adjustment for Keenum was adjusting to the Texans' pro-style offense. Pro Bowl tackle Duane Brown called Keenum a "very fiery guy" and said the quarterback has improved significantly since last year.
"He's come a long way, a long way," Brown told the Texans website on Thursday. "We all knew about his collegiate career and all of the great things he did. He got here and it was a little rough for him, just trying to learn the playbook and getting used to the NFL game.
"But in a year's time, it's made a huge difference. He's out there and he looks like a pretty good quarterback. He makes some big-time throws out there. Besides that, I really like his demeanor and personality."
5. Texans defensive coordinator and former Dallas Cowboys coach Wade Phillips compared Keenum to Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo.
"It reminds me a little bit of Tony Romo's story. Hopefully it ends out that way," Phillips said, via ESPN. "(Keenum has) got some moxie. That's what Romo has."
