Fact: Tyrod Taylor is dealing with an injured left wrist.
Also true: the former 2015 Pro Bowler could have started against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 14.
According to Houston Texans coach David Culley, the reason the team made the move to go with rookie Davis Mills for a second time in 2021 was because they believe the third-rounder from Stanford gives them the best chance to win each of their final five games to close out the season.
“It has nothing to do with Tyrod not being ready to play,” Culley said. “It’s just we feel like that’s the best thing that gives us a chance to win.”
The Texans appeared to be on a trajectory that would veer them off course towards a top-5 overall pick in the upcoming draft as they pummeled the Jacksonville Jaguars 37-21 at NRG Stadium in Week 1. Houston was even tied with the Cleveland Browns 14-14 at halftime of their Week 2 game. However, Taylor strained his hamstring that game, and Mills was thrown into the fire. The Texans went 0-6 with the rookie under center.
Conceivably, Taylor did give them the best chance to win, yet he has compiled a 1-3 record since his return and has thrown two touchdowns to five interceptions and has taken 12 sacks.
Culley says that Taylor, who is listed on the injury report with no designation, didn’t agree with the decision, but he is handling it as a pro.
Said Culley: “He’s a pro. I mean he didn’t like the decision. I wouldn’t have liked it either, but this is a production business. On offense it always starts at that position and we needed a spark, we needed a change and I made the change.”
The last rookie quarterback to get a win for the Texans was Deshaun Watson on Oct. 15, 2017, in a 33-17 victory over the Browns at NRG Stadium.
