Brian Hoyer vs. Ryan Mallett: Updates on Texans' QB Battle

The Houston Texans came into training camp this summer with a quarterback battle on their hands, with Brian Hoyer and Ryan Mallett competing for the starting job.  

Drew Dougherty of HoustonTexans.com reiterated on Aug. 12, per Texans coach Bill O'Brien, that a starter hasn't been named and that O'Brien is in no hurry to do so. However, Hoyer reportedly will lead the team.

Continue for updates.

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Hoyer Reportedly Named Starter

Monday, Aug. 24

"Texans have named Brian Hoyer as their starting QB to begin the 2015 season," reported NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, citing sources.

Hoyer, 29, has had stints with the New England Patriots, Arizona Cardinals and Cleveland Browns. He threw for 3,326 yards, 12 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in 14 games with Cleveland last season. 

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O'Brien Doesn't Know Starter for 3rd Preseason Game

Sunday, Aug. 23

O'Brien gave the update on the position battle after the team's loss to the Denver Broncos on Saturday, via Deepi Sidhu of Houston Texans.com, adding there are "some things that we need to clean up" at the quarterback position, via Dougherty.

As for a timeline for a potential decision on a starter, O'Brien wouldn't commit, saying, "I try to make decisions that are best for the team with a timetable I'm comfortable with," via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle.

Mallett completed five of seven passes in the contest against Denver for 23 yards as the starter, while Hoyer followed, completing seven of 11 passes for 57 yards.

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Mallett Starts Week 2 of Preseason vs. Broncos

Saturday, Aug. 15

O'Brien announced Mallett would be under center when the Texans take on the Broncos in Week 2 of the preseason, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. 

Hoyer started for the Texans in their 23-10 win over the San Francisco 49ers this evening, going 2-of-4 for 64 yards passing and a touchdown. The highlight was a 58-yard touchdown to Cecil Shorts III. 

Mallett completed 10 of 11 passes for 90 yards but did not lead any drives that resulted in points. 

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O'Brien Isn't Tipping Hand in QB Battle

Tuesday, Aug. 11

The Texans listed Hoyer and Mallett as co-starters on their depth chart. 

The assumption as the preseason games kick off is that the quarterback starting the first preseason contest is the front-runner for the starting gig. O'Brien seems keen on dissuading fans and media members of that notion, however, per Tania Ganguli of ESPN.com:

The quarterbacks have been splitting time with the first team, including during a joint practice against Washington last week. Neither player seemed to truly differentiate himself or hurt his stock in the coach's eyes during that time, however, as O'Brien told John McClain of the Houston Chronicle:

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Overall, their play was fairly consistent with all the different guys they were working with. They were going against a new defense and not really knowing what to expect from that defense. We didn’t have a scouting report on the Redskins. We just came out and practiced, which is what we should do, and I thought both guys handled it well.

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O'Brien said, per Wilson, that "both guys are even."

Mallett, 27, spent the majority of his career as a backup to Tom Brady and has been gunning to win his first consistent starting job with Houston. 

Generally, waiting too long to announce a starting quarterback is detrimental. The longer a team has a quarterback controversy, the less reps the eventual starting quarterback will get with the first-team offense. Not only that, but a quarterback controversy can easily become a distraction for the team as it becomes the primary storyline of training camp that the media latches on to. 

The Texans will be hoping one of these players begins to stand out in the coming days. The sooner the Texans can announce a starter, the better for the team.