Eric Gay/Associated Press

The Houston Texans reportedly have signed free-agent quarterback T.J. Yates on Tuesday to serve as their backup after releasing Ryan Mallett, according to Rand Getlin of NFL Network.

Mark Berman of KRIV initially reported the addition of Yates as the team's No. 2 option behind Brian Hoyer.



On Wednesday, head coach Bill O'Brien said, per Drew Dougherty of Texans TV, that Yates had a "very good recall" of the team's offense. O'Brien added, "We're glad that he's here".

Yates spent three seasons with the Texans starting in 2011 after getting drafted in the fifth round of the NFL draft. He struggled across 13 sporadic appearances, throwing three touchdowns and six interceptions. He did help lead the team to a playoff win over the Cincinnati Bengals as a rookie.

The 28-year-old North Carolina product spent the 2014 season as a backup to Matt Ryan for the Atlanta Falcons after getting traded during the offseason. He played in just one game, throwing four passes and getting intercepted once, and he was among the final cuts before the current campaign started.

All told, Yates is 104 of 170 (61 percent) with three TDs and seven INTs in 14 NFL games. It amounts to a lackluster 70.3 passer rating.

Apparently, the Texans still view him as a more stabilizing backup option than Mallett despite that lack of on-field success.

Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reported the team decided to move forward from Mallett following a disagreement between O'Brien and general manager Rick Smith after he missed a team flight to face the Miami Dolphins.

Hoyer's strong play since regaining the starting job gave the team more leeway to make changes behind him on the depth chart. He's tossed 10 touchdowns and just two interceptions over the last four games, bringing his passer rating up to 95.7, though the team as a whole continues to struggle (2-5).

Yates can provide a veteran presence on a team he knows well in the short term. Just don't expect much from the Houston offense if he's forced into action.