(SportsRadio 610) - The Texans returned to the practice field Wednesday morning in preparation for their week 14 matchup with the Dallas Cowboys.
Following the team's workout, head coach Lovie Smith confirmed reports of another quarterback change, going back from Kyle Allen to Davis Mills.
“We don’t give out lifetime jobs, we’ll start with that. It’s about performance each week,” Smith said. “When Davis was the starter, sometimes you need a relief pitcher to come in, and that’s what it was. So Davis will start for us this week, we expected two weeks from watching from the sideline to help and there are so many other things we can do to help the quarterback position.”
Related
Mills was benched following he and the team's embarrassing offensive performance in the 23-10 loss to the Washington Commanders.
Kyle Allen, who the Texans pivoted to in hopes of injecting some life into the offense after Mills and the offense struggled out of the gate all season long, was no better.
Against the Cleveland Browns, Allen routinely threw high, uncatchable balls to receivers, two interceptions including a pick-six and fumbled twice, losing one of them for a Browns touchdown.
“It’s about performance each week,” Smith said of Allen. “Didn’t feel like the performance last week warranted another start.”
The two quarterbacks have combined for 11 interceptions in the teams last seven games and have completed more than 60% of their passes just once, which was Allen’s first game against the Dolphins.
He completed 66% of his passes in the 30-15 loss.
Smith said he’ll continue to evaluate the quarterback position on a week-to-week basis.
“With all of our players we look at it on a week-to-week basis,” Smith said. “We evaluate and if we think a move is warranted, we go with that. Our players know that and it just not lip service, that exactly how we do it.”
What weapons Mills will have at his disposal Sunday against Dallas (9-3) remains to be seen.
The Texans (1-10-1), who have been without their number one receiver Brandin Cooks (calf) since their 30-15 loss to the Miami Dolphins week 12, was working on a side field with a trainer during practice.
Along with Cooks, receiver Nico Collins was limited with an unspecified injury.
Collins missed two games earlier this season with a groin injury and has played in four games since his return.
Fullback Troy Hairston, who was injured during the first half of Sunday's 27-14 loss to the Browns but finished the game, was limited Wednesday with bruised ribs.
On the defensive side of the ball, rookie cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., did not practice. He’s missed the team's last three games since a hamstring injury in the 24-16 loss to the New York Giants.
Smith offered somewhat of an update on his status Wednesday.
“Just have to be patient with him. Eventually he’ll be back out there,” Smith said. “Again, a few weeks ago he was up in the press box, didn’t have him on the sideline, we didn’t know if he could get out of the way. This week he’s down on the sideline. He’s making progress I will say that.”
Meanwhile, the Texans could be getting some fresh bodies back on defense and special teams soon.
The team announced Wednesday morning that defensive lineman Jonathan Greenard and defensive back Grayland Arnold have been designated for return from injured reserve.
Both players will now have a 21-day window to practice with the team and they can be activated at any point in that period.
As far as when Smith will look to put Greenard back into the mix, he seemed encouraged by a return being much sooner than later.
“We’ll always find a spot for a good defensive lineman,” Smith said. “So we’ll find a way to get him into the mix once he’s ready to go. He is starting the process, today is the first day he’s actually practiced with us.”
Greenard hasn’t played since week four due to a calf injury, recording nine tackles and 1.5 sacks in four games before being sidelined.
Arnold, primarily used on special teams, has appeared in five games this season and recorded one tackle before being placed on injured reserve with a quad injury.
Shaun Bijani has spent the last 16 years covering the Houston sports scene for SportsRadio 610. Follow him on Twitter @ShaunBijani.
Follow SportsRadio 610 on social media:
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube