Every coach harps on how each backup is one play away from being thrust into the lineup.
Houston Texans rookie quarterback Tom Savage found that out Sunday.
The fourth-round pick entered the game in the second quarter after Ryan Fitzpatrick was lost for the season due to a broken leg, NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported.
Savage himself was then injured on the second-to-last play of the game after being drilled. He remained in the game for the final snap, but will undergo an MRI on his knee, per Rapoport.
With the recently signed Thad Lewis the only other quarterback on the roster, the Texans will sign Case Keenum, Rapoport reported Monday, per a source informed of the move. The 26-year-old quarterback started eight games last season for Houston. He had been on the St. Louis Rams' practice squad.
Keenum could see playing time if Savage's injury is serious or if the Texans decide the rookie needs more prep time before they put him back in the fire.
Savage was immediately overwhelmed entering Sunday's contest. When a head coach discusses the need to practice handoffs after a loss that ended any playoff hopes, you know it's bad.
Offensive tackle Duane Brown summed up Savage's afternoon perfectly. The rookie was in such deep water that he couldn't even spit out the play loud enough, before finally settling down a bit in the second half.
"I was like, 'It's loud in here. You gotta speak up,' " Brown said of Savage's early play calling in the huddle. "You could tell he was a little nervous, but as the plays went on, you could see his comfort level start to rise a little bit, making some big throws in some key situations. That's all you can ask for. I'm sure when he gets another opportunity, he'll improve."
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