Thaddeus Lewis to Sign with Texans: Latest Contract Details, Analysis, Reaction

The Houston Texans' scramble to add quarterback depth resulted in signing veteran journeyman Thaddeus Lewis on Monday.      

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the news:

As is noted above, the acquisition of Lewis was triggered by a season-ending torn pectoral muscle suffered by Ryan Mallett in Houston's Week 12 loss to Cincinnati, per NFL.com's Ian Rapoport:

Mallett had supplanted another NFL nomad in Ryan Fitzpatrick as the starter under center. Fitzpatrick is likely to be the man the Texans turn to in the wake of Mallett's injury, but Lewis provides some experienced insurance.

Lewis, 27, made one start in the 2012 regular-season finale for the Cleveland Browns, where he played decently but lost the game to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Nick Mathews of the Houston Chronicle outlined what Lewis did in Buffalo last year, and also alluded to a loose connection between Lewis and Texans coach Bill O'Brien:

A 2010 undrafted free agent out of Duke, Lewis had a successful collegiate career before joining the St. Louis Rams. Then-offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur brought Lewis in when he was the head coach in Cleveland for a time.

Prior to Lewis' time in Buffalo he spent time with the Detroit Lions.

Rookie fourth-round pick Tom Savage is the other QB on the Texans' roster, but it appears Houston doesn't feel comfortable with the prospect of him being one play away from his NFL debut. Although Savage has a huge arm, he is a project the Texans evidently don't want to rush onto the gridiron.

If Fitzpatrick plays poorly enough, it's feasible that Lewis' recent starting experience could get him on the field. More likely, though, Lewis will be serving as more of a mentor to Savage in the event that either of them needs to play this season.