Houston Texans winning QB T.J. Yates gets backup role on Matt Schaub's return – NFL News
As expected, the return of veteran quarterback Matt Schaub has forced the second-year QB T.J. Yates on the backup position after having made a superb start to his pro career last season, leading Texans in Schaub’s absence to the American Football Conference
(AFC) South division title win and the playoffs for the first time in the franchise’s history.
Matt has started for Texans throughout the last four years, except for the second half of last season, when he suffered a foot injury and was required to sit out for rest of the season.
He returned to action at training camp this month and as expected was given the starting role straightaway. This, however, does not rule young and ambitious Yates out altogether; he is likely to receive more opportunities from Texans. Also, his last year’s
tremendous success has increased his growth prospects elsewhere in the league manifold.
Yates said of the new role:
"It's a little bit of a different role but that doesn't mean I can slough off, or take anything for granted. I've got to work as hard as the next guy, because as last year taught everybody, you've always got to be ready."
It was remarkable for the rookie to help his side achieve what they could not with many star leaders in the past. This includes Schaub as well. The feat is even more significant given the team had become quarterback-thin last season, after losing two QBs,
Matt Schaub and Matt Leinart, to respective injuries.
The honours were taken by the rookie then. He looked in good form throughout. Another disappointing development for the team, which also affected Yates’ potential, was absence of receiver Andre Johnson. He missed as many as nine games throughout the season,
and his absence clearly had a negative impact on the quarterback’s performance.
Yates is likely to get the leading role permanently this season if Schaub faces any health and fitness problem. At the moment, he (Schaub) is the definite Texans’ offence leader. It is yet to be seen if he maintains the previous level of form after recovery
from the injury.
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