With Tom Savage concussed, Texans prep QB Taylor Heinicke

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - AUGUST 27: Taylor Heinicke #6 of the Minnesota Vikings dives to complete a two-point conversion against the San Francisco 49ers to win the preseason game on August 27, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the 49ers 32-31. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) less MINNEAPOLIS, MN - AUGUST 27: Taylor Heinicke #6 of the Minnesota Vikings dives to complete a two-point conversion against the San Francisco 49ers to win the preseason game on August 27, 2017 at U.S. Bank ... more Photo: Hannah Foslien/Getty Images Photo: Hannah Foslien/Getty Images Image 1 of / 14 Caption Close With Tom Savage concussed, Texans prep QB Taylor Heinicke 1 / 14 Back to Gallery

When Texans practice squad quarterback Taylor Heinicke was at Old Dominion, he piled up touchdown passes and rushing yards.

The dual-threat quarterback finished his career with 14,969 passing yards, 132 touchdown passes, 1,320 rushing yards and 22 rushing touchdowns. He ranks fourth all-time in Football Championship Subdivision history for touchdown passes and won the Walter Payton award and was named an All-American.

Now, the Texans are getting Heinicke ready for potential backup duty Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Texans coach Bill O'Brien said that the team is planning to have Heinicke back up starter T.J. Yates.

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Heinicke remains on the practice squad, but the native of Suwanee, Ga., could be promoted before this road game as starter Tom Savage remains under the NFL concussion protocol and isn't expected to play this week and possibly longer.

"I've been studying," Heinicke said. "The biggest thing I can do is try to learn this offense like the back of my hand. I've been in the playbook every day trying to get better that way. I prepare every week, whether Tom never got hurt and it's unfortunate that he did. Before, Tom and T.J. were getting all the reps. It's the fact that now I'm actually getting reps out there."

Heinicke has impressed the coaching staff with his attitude, mobility and intelligence since joining the Texans' practice squad on Nov. 29. In his third NFL season, Heinicke was previously with the New England Patriots and Minnesota Vikings.

"I like a lot of things about him," O'Brien said. "I think he's smart. I think he's an accurate passer. I think he makes good decisions, so far in practice. I think he's picked up our system pretty well so far. I think he's mobile. He can make plays on his own. So, there's a lot of things I like. That's probably the direction that we're headed."

At 6-1, 210 pounds, Heinicke has excellent quickness working in his favor to escape the pocket.

"It's definitely a plus being able to move with your feet," Heinicke said. "It definitely helps a quarterback he can move. Tom obviously has a better arm than I do."

In a 45-42 win over Rice in 2014, Heinicke passed for 432 yards and five touchdowns to engineer a last-second victory.

"They were the champs and we came down here and beat them," Heinicke said. "That's the last time I played here in Houston. It was fun."