T.J. Yates wasn't released by the Texans after all.
Houston reversed course Wednesday and traded the quarterback to Atlanta, the Falcons announced. In exchange, the Texans received linebacker Akeem Dent.
The reason the Texans didn't end up releasing Yates? Once word got out they were parting ways with the QB, teams started calling, NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported, per a Texans source.
The deal makes sense for the Falcons. Even though Matt Ryan has been incredibly durable throughout his six-year NFL career, missing just two games, they had no one with experience behind him. The only QB on the roster who has thrown a regular-season pass? Dominique Davis, who was released on Thursday.
Now, Yates is clearly their No. 2 signal-caller.
The move also made sense for the Texans. Coach Bill O'Brien anointed Ryan Fitzpatrick as the team's starting QB on Monday, and with Case Keenum and Tom Savage jockeying for snaps too, someone had to go.
Rather than receiving nothing in return, the Texans added depth for their loaded front seven -- Dent has started 20 games over the past two seasons. It says a lot that the Falcons were willing to shed Dent just three years after drafting him in the third round, though, especially with Sean Weatherspoon out for the season. The Falcons also hosted Jonathan Vilma earlier in the day.
The Falcons also announced the signing of journeyman linebacker Tim Dobbins, ostensibly to replace Dent. NFL Media's Albert Breer reports it's a one-year deal for $855,000.
In the latest edition of the "Around The League Podcast," the guys make the case that multiple teams have closed the gap on the Seahawks and 49ers in the NFC.
