The Miami Dolphins signed former Houston Texans quarterback T.J. Yates on Tuesday and placed center Mike Pouncey on injured reserve.

Yates, who was cleared to return to football activities in August after tearing his ACL last December, will back up Matt Moore.

Regular starter Ryan Tannehill was diagnosed with ACL and MCL sprains in his left knee Monday and is expected to miss at least the next couple of games.

Pouncey played in just five games this season due to his left hip injury. Backup center Anthony Steen will fill in for Pouncey the rest of this season.

The Dolphins trail the Denver Broncos (8-5) for the final wild-card spot in the AFC via tiebreakers. Miami will play three consecutive division games -- starting Sunday against the New York Jets -- to wrap up the regular season.

Yates, 29, has thrown seven touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 20 career regular-season and postseason games. He signed with the Texans in 2015 after Ryan Mallett was released and he played in four games, including two starts.

Yates' 2015 debut came when starting quarterback Brian Hoyer suffered a concussion against the Cincinnati Bengals. Yates threw a touchdown pass and the Texans beat the previously undefeated Bengals 10-6.

Houston originally drafted Yates in the fifth round of the 2011 draft. He helped the Texans clinch their first playoff berth in franchise history with a win against the Bengals in 2011. He later led the Texans to their first playoff win by again defeating the Bengals.

ESPN's James Walker contributed to this report.