Texans to Start New Quarterback in Week 12

The Houston Texans have played coy this week regarding who will play at quarterback for them in Week 12, but a new starter has apparently come into focus. NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reports the team will play Kyle Allen in place of Davis Mills for Sunday's matchup with the Miami Dolphins.

It’ll be Kyle Allen for the #Texans at QB Sunday, sources say. Lovie Smith declined to make a starter in his press conference today.

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) November 23, 2022

Mills will ride the bench after throwing for 2144 yards, 11 touchdowns, and a league-leading 11 interceptions in his 10 starts. He was particularly egregious in Sunday's 23-10 loss to the Washington Commanders, throwing two interceptions and netting 127 passing yards on 38 dropbacks. Overall, he earned a 1-8-1 record and a 78.1 passer rating for his efforts this season.

Allen will take the field for the first time in a Texans uniform on Sunday. He started for the Washington Commanders as recently as 2021; he played adequately over four starts, managing a 99.3 passer rating and 6.02 net yards per passing attempt. Over his four-year career, he has passed for 4318 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, and 17 interceptions in 17 starts, earning a 7-10 record.

More importantly, Mills benching likely puts an end to his chances at a long-term starting role for the Texans. The 67th overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft, Mills overperformed expectations as a rookie, earning himself a spot as the team's unquestioned starter in 2022. Now, with only three wins in 21 starts, the Texans' flirtation with him as their franchise passer appears to be at an end. They'll have a great shot at the first overall pick and whatever young passer they please in the 2023 NFL Draft.  

Photo Credit: © Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports