The Falcons have acquired quarterback T.J. Yates from the Texans in exchange for linebacker Akeem Dent, a source tells Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk (via Twitter). The Texans decided to waive Yates yesterday but it appears that the transaction wasn’t made official. Therefore, Yates remained on the Texans’ roster and they were able to ship him to Atlanta.
Yates, a fifth-round pick in 2011, has spent the last three seasons with the Texans, most notably starting five games for the club in his rookie year and winning a playoff game in that season. Since then, he has seen limited action, completing 19 of 32 attempts in the last two years, with no touchdowns and three interceptions. The Ravens were linked to Yates but he’ll instead head to the NFC where he’ll look to find a role in support of starter Matt Ryan.
Yates started in place of Matt Schaub in 2011, helping to guide the Texans to their first franchise playoff victory. His career hasn’t exactly taken off since then, however, and last season he was supplanted on the depth chart by rookie QB Case Keenum. With Ryan Fitzpatrick anointed as the starter in Houston, Yates became expendable. The club initially planned on cutting him, but the phones started ringing once word of that got out. Now, the Texans won’t lose him for nothing. He’ll battle it out with Dominique Davis, Jeff Mathews, and Sean Renfree this offseason for a spot on the roster.
Dent, 26, was selected in the third round by Atlanta in the 2011 draft. In three seasons, Dent has seen the field in 47 games and racked up a total of 81 tackles and four pass deflections. Like Yates, Dent is entering the final season of his rookie deal.