The Houston Texanstook the drama out of their quarterback competition on Tuesday. Now they've taken a quarterback out of the mix entirely.
NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported Tuesday that T.J. Yateshas been released, according to a team source.
Yates, a fifth-round pick in the 2011 draft, holds the distinction as the only Texans quarterback to record a playoff win. Yates -- forced into the lineup after season-ending injuries to Matt Schaub and Matt Leinart late in the 2011 season -- delivered a mistake-free performance in a 31-10 win over the Cincinnati Bengals.
It would be the high point of Yates' Texans career. He threw three interceptions the following week in a loss to the Baltimore Ravens. He started last season as Schaub's backup, but was bypassed in favor of Case Keenum after an ugly relief performance in a Week 6 loss to the St. Louis Rams.
The Texans used a fourth-round pick on Tom Savage in May's draft, putting the writing on the wall for Yates. Houston likely will open the season with Keenum backing up Ryan Fitzpatrick, with Savage in the developmental role.
As for Yates, he might not be out of work long. The Baltimore Sun reported Tuesday that the Ravens have been monitoring Yates' situation and are expected to look into signing the QB.
In the latest edition of the "Around The League Podcast," the heroes discuss which teams "realistically" have no shot at winning the Super Bowl this season.