After a turbulent few weeks between the two sides, the Houston Texans have decided to release quarterback Ryan Mallett, according to John McClain of the Houston Chronicle. The Texans made the move official Tuesday evening.
Texans head coach Bill O'Brien had reportedly asked for Mallett to be released prior to Houston's Week 7 blowout loss to the Dolphins after Mallett had missed the team flight to Miami. However, O'Brien's request was rebuffed by general manager Rick Smith, who didn't want the Texans to play without a backup quarterback on the roster.
But, as McClain said on Twitter, the Texans have run out of patience with Mallett. He has a history of missing team meetings, and was seen moping on the sidelines after O'Brien benched him in favor of Brian Hoyer during the Texans' Week 5 loss to the Colts.
Mallett released a statement on Twitter taking responsibility for his actions.
— Ryan Mallett (@Ryan_Mallett15) October 27, 2015
Mallett had lost out to Hoyer in training camp and was named Houston's backup, but reclaimed the team's starting quarterback role midway through the Texans' season opener. Mallett has completed 53 percent of his passes this season and has thrown three touchdowns compared to four interceptions. He appeared in seven games for the Texans and led them to one win.
Ryan Mallett NFL ranks this season: Comp pct: Last Yards per att: Last Total QBR: 22nd (out of 32 qualified QB) https://t.co/IJavAWQEKd
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 27, 2015
Mallett, 27, was selected out of Arkansas by the Patriots in the third round of the 2011 draft. He appeared in just four games in three years in New England before being traded to the Texans in 2014 for a conditional draft pick. In Houston he was reunited with O'Brien, who had previously served as Mallett's offensive coordinator in New England.
Mallett's release left the 2-5 Texans with just two quarterbacks on the roster: Hoyer and Zac Dysert, who is on the practice squad. To fill out the depth chart, Houston signed veteran T.J. Yates, who won a playoff game for them in 2011, according to McClain.
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