Two former New England Patriots quarterbacks will face off the next time the Houston Texans take the field.
The Texans, who have a bye this week, have named Ryan Mallett their starting quarterback for Week 11 against the Cleveland Browns. Fellow ex-Patriots backup QB Brian Hoyer is expected to start for the Browns.
Mallett will replace Ryan Fitzpatrick, who is 4-5 as the Texans’ starter.
Texans head coach and ex-Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien made the announcement Wednesday.
“I just felt like, in the best interest of the team, this is the decision I needed to make,” O’Brien told reporters.
The Texans sent a sixth-round draft pick to the Patriots in August to acquire Mallett.
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