Bill O’Brien brought another Week 1 hook and replaced Tom Savage with Deshaun Watson, and the switch does not appear to be temporary. The Texans are planning to start Watson on Thursday against the Bengals, Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reports (on Twitter).
Despite Texans brass declaring Savage their starter essentially from the draft until Sunday, La Canfora adds Watson is the Texans’ new starting passer.
A fourth-year player, Savage struggled in Houston’s 29-7 Week 1 loss to Jacksonville, and Watson was more effective upon entering midway through the game. The Clemson product finished 12-for-23 for 102 yards, throwing a touchdown pass and an interception.
O’Brien turned to Savage late last season after benching Brock Osweiler, doing this a year after benching Brian Hoyer in Week 1 for Ryan Mallett before pivoting back to Hoyer. The franchise has struggled at quarterback throughout O’Brien’s tenure, and he hasn’t been shy on changing the status quo. Watson, though, required a significant investment to acquire. So the recent national championship-winning passer might earn a much longer look.
The Texans travel to Cincinnati for a Week 2 tilt, but should they follow through and turn to Watson, he will have a difficult test in Week 3 when the team visits the Patriots. The Texans have never won in New England and lost to the eventual Super Bowl champs twice last season there.
Bill O’Brien, trying to stay off the hot seat. Below average quarterbacks typically don’t keep coaches employed.
It’s not is fault he hasn’t had a passable QB to work with
YASSSSSSS THATS MY MAN!!
They gave savage all that first team reps now they are making him 2nd string after one bad outing
Bill O’Brien and the Texans only just now realized that Tom Savage sucks?
What does that say about Bill O’Brien and the Texans?
Bingo
They should have started Watson in week 1
Watson has more talent in the whole body then savage does in. 1 arm
Savage is savagely bad
That comment was savage lol
To be fair, not many QBs would’ve done better with the Texans O-Line. Those turnovers and a couple of sacks were on Savage but he had no time in the pocket and probably started getting anxious in the pocket after the first few sacks. Watson played better but I’m not sure if he’s ready yet. Watson’s dual threat ability should make it a little easier but teams are now going into games preparing for him as opposed to Savage. I doubt the Jags spent a significant amount of time (if any) preparing for Watson as the QB so his limited success has to be attributed to that more than him actually playing well in his first regular season action.