Report: Texans Looking to Sign Free-Agent QB After Joe Webb III's Foot Injury

The Houston Texans are contemplating signing a quarterback after third-stringer Joe Webb III suffered a "serious foot injury" during Thursday's preseason finale against the Los Angeles Rams, according to Fox 26's Mark Berman.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported the 32-year-old Webb is expected to be placed on injured reserve.

Webb's injury creates further uncertainty on Houston's depth chart behind Deshaun Watson, as primary backup AJ McCarron missed the preseason after suffering a broken right thumb this month. Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reported Thursday that McCarron is out of his cast and has resumed throwing. 

Undrafted free agent Jordan Ta'amu is the only other quarterback on the Texans' roster.

As Houston attempts to make the postseason for the fourth time in five seasons, the quarterback position is not a pressing need at this point. As a rookie in 2017, Watson overcame a torn ACL while at Clemson to make the Pro Bowl while leading the Texans to the playoffs. 

McCarron has proved he can help a team remain a contender while filling in for an injured starter. While starting in place of Andy Dalton down the stretch in 2015, McCarron went 2-1 in three regular-season starts for the Cincinnati Bengals and had the team within a Jeremy Hill fumble of its first postseason victory in more than two decades.

But in the NFL, a team can never have too much depth, especially at quarterback.

It was just two seasons ago that the Minnesota Vikings saw Teddy Bridgewater and Sam Bradford sidelined by injuries. As a result, journeyman Case Keenum was called upon to make 16 starts, including the postseason. The Vikings were able to withstand a banged-up quarterback room thanks to Keenum, proving just how valuable depth can be.

The free-agent market is relatively thin now, with veterans Brock Osweiler, Matt Cassel and Brandon Weeden among the top names on the market (not including Colin Kaepernick). More options could become available over the weekend, though, as teams have to trim their respective rosters down to 53 players by Saturday at 4 p.m. ET.