The Houston Texans‘ quarterback situation got even tougher.
Tyrod Taylor will be out for a while due to a hamstring injury.
That setback adds to the misfortunes that the 32-year-old starter has experienced throughout his NFL career.
The real Tyrod Taylor Revenge Game is when he gets to perform surgery on the Chargers' team doctor.
— Rodger Sherman (@rodger) September 19, 2021
Deshaun Watson is still an active part of the roster, but the Texans won’t play him for non-football reasons.
The franchise doesn’t want the distraction that comes with Watson’s off-field legal issues.
The Texans are okay with paying him even if he’s not playing.
After all, Watson did not want to play for the team anymore, and trade rumors for him constantly resurfaced.
Deshaun Watson will not be active for the Texans' game against the Carolina Panthers on Thursday night despite starter Tyrod Taylor's uncertain status, HC David Culley said Monday. Taylor is getting an MRI on his left hamstring injury and is considered day-to-day, Culley said.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 20, 2021
With Taylor injured and Watson sidelined, the Texans turn to rookie Davis Mills to salvage their season.
It might be too early for Mills to take center stage in the NFL.
However, he has no choice but to be ready.
Mills was the Texans’ top choice in the 2021 NFL Draft.
The selection occurred in the third round because the team traded away their first and second-round picks as part of the Laremy Tunsil deal.
Their weakened draft capital diminished their chances of trading up to get one of the prized quarterback prospects like Trevor Lawrence, Justin Fields, Trey Lance, Zach Wilson, and Mac Jones.
Therefore, Houston settled with Mills, who played three seasons at Stanford.
QB Davis Mills to start on #TNF ⤵️
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) September 21, 2021
The Georgia native was a redshirt freshman in 2017 and played just one game in 2018.
In 2019, he took over quarterback K.J. Costello and started six of the eight games he played.
Mills finished the season with 1,960 yards and 11 touchdowns.
He completed 65 percent of his passes and averaged eight yards per successful attempt.
One year later, Mills became the Cardinals’ starter after Costello’s graduation.
Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic cut the Pac-12 season short.
From Stanford To Houston
The Cardinals ended up playing just five games in the shortened 2020 season.
Mills started all of those games and tallied 1,508 yards and seven touchdowns.
He also added three rushing touchdowns and completed 66 percent of his passes.
The 22-year-old play-caller declared for the NFL draft and was on most experts’ top 10 quarterback prospects list.
It didn’t take long for his fellow aspirants to hear their names called.
Lawrence, Wilson, and Fields were the top three picks, while Fields went to the Chicago Bears at 11.
Mac Jones, Kyle Trask, and Kellen Mond were all taken before Mills.
LETS GO!! Can’t wait to get started! Extremely happy and humbled to be a Texan!! pic.twitter.com/WmONvTiIct
— Davis Mills (@Millsions) May 1, 2021
During their preseason game against the Green Bay Packers, he made his debut and finished with 112 yards and one interception.
In their next game against the Dallas Cowboys, Mills completed ten passes for 115 yards.
In their last preseason game, Houston faced the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Mills finished with 106 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions.
Mills sat down the Texans’ season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars as Taylor led Houston to victory.
However, his time came in the second half of their Week 2 encounter with the Cleveland Browns.
Taylor exited the game with a hamstring injury, and Mills covered the rest of the way.
𝐐𝐁 𝐋𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐜𝐲.
This weekend, @Millsions will cement his name among the Stanford greats during the #NFLDraft! #GoStanford pic.twitter.com/G6CfSmNmzG
— Stanford Football (@StanfordFball) April 28, 2021
The rookie had a crash course of the NFL game and finished with eight completions for 102 yards, a touchdown, and an interception.
Mills will have his first NFL start against Sam Darnold and the Carolina Panthers, which remains undefeated after two games.
The Texans’ success will heavily depend on his performance moving forward.
It’s time to show whether he has the mettle like fellow Stanford quarterbacks Andrew Luck and John Elway.
NEXT: Texans Need A Clear Answer On Deshaun Watson's Availability
