Former Patriots Quarterback Ryan Mallett Named Starter in Houston

Ryan Mallett will finally get his chance.

The former Patriots backup to quarterback Tom Brady will replace Ryan Fitzpatrick as the starter for the Texans when Houston faces the Cleveland Browns on Nov. 16.

Texans head coach Bill O’Brien made the announcement during his Wednesday press conference.

“We are not asking him to go out there and be Tom Brady,” O’Brien said. We’re asking him to be Ryan Mallett.”

The Texans have a bye in Week 10, as do the Patriots, the team with whom Houston made the deal for Mallett prior to the season,sending a sixth-round draft pick to New England.

Behind Fitzpatrick, the Texans have gone 4-5 this season, but the former Harvard star was only 13-of-27 in last weekend’s 31-21 loss to Philadelphia.

“I just felt like in the best interest of the team,” O’Brien said. “This is the decision I needed to make.”