Aug 28, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans running back Alfred Blue (44) avoids the tackle attempt by San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Chase Thomas (48) during the first quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

The Houston Texans have released their first “unofficial” depth chart for their first game of the 2014 season, this Sunday against the Washington Redskins, with newly acquired quarterback Ryan Mallett as the backup QB and rookie Alfred Blue as the first backup for Arian Foster.

Aug 5, 2014; Richmond, VA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Ryan Mallett (15) throws the ball during joint practice with the Washington Redskins on day eleven at the Bon Secours Washington Redskins Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Mallett was acquired by the Texans on Sunday in a trade with the New England Patriots for a ’16 seventh round draft choice. Mallett was originally a third round selection in the 2011 NFL Draft by the Patriots.

Having Mallett as the backup with less than a week with the Texans shows two things: he already knows and understands the offensive system pretty well, and third string rookie Tom Savage must still have a lot to learn in this same system.

I have no problem whatsoever with the Texans having Mallett as the No. 2 QB, heck, by the end of the first month (or earlier) he could be the starting QB for the team, depending on the performance of Fitzpatrick early in the season.

In just by looking at the no-nonsense type of attitude O’Brien has, and having this being his first season as an NFL head coach, I bet he wouldn’t have much of a problem at all making a change at QB very early in the season if need be.

Now as for the rookie in Blue, I figured he would be the third running back on the depth chart at this point of the season, but he’s proven he’ll be able to have some type of role within the league and with the Texans.

It looks as though if something were to happen to Foster (he missed eight games in ’13) that Blue would be the guy the Texans will look towards in carrying the load at running back.

For the complete depth chart, click here.