Houston Texans head coach Bill O’Brien got his wish.
The Texans released quarterback Ryan Mallett on Monday, according to the Houston Chronicle’s John McClain. The move comes after Mallett missed the team’s flight to Florida over the weekend and had to fly commercial to meet the Texans before their game against the Miami Dolphins.
The Chronicle reported earlier Monday that O’Brien wanted to cut Mallett before Sunday’s game, but general manager Rick Smith overruled the coach’s decision.
The Texans wasted no time in replacing Mallett after his release. T.J. Yates, who spent three seasons with the Texans from 2011 through 2013, is returning to the team to back up starting quarterback Brian Hoyer, two sources who were not authorized to speak publicly told the Chronicle.
Mallett, a third-round draft pick out of Arkansas, spent three seasons backing up Tom Brady before the New England Patriots traded him to Houston prior to the 2014 season.
Thumbnail photo via Jason Getz/USA TODAY Sports Images
