Case Keenum will get the start in the Texans final preseason game. With time running out for the backup quarterbacks to take the field, Keenum and Yates will each play a half at Dallas on Thursday.
"What I'll do is I'll start Case this week," head coach Gary Kubiak said Monday. "They'll both play a half of football going into this one. Obviously they're going to be playing with a bunch of young players, but I think it's been extremely close. It would be hard to make a decision today. But if I would have to make one, I'd make one. I think this game is still important."
Through the first three games of the preseason, Yates is slightly ahead in the race, completing 27-of-39 for 308 yards, three touchdowns, and a quarterback rating of 118.3. Keeping it close, Keenum is 34-of-50 for 354 yards, two touchdowns, and a passer rating of 101.6.
"Only thing that could've been different is we finish that drive last night and we're still out there trying to figure out who's going to win that football game," Kubiak said. "They've both been very good and in command of what we're doing and their growth in our offense. Like I said, I probably feel as good as I've felt after my starter probably in a long, long time. Like I said, it's a nice problem to have. We'll see where we end up here in a week."
After Thursday's game, Kubiak will decide on a backup quarterback before heading into the Texans' regular season opener on September 9.
"They've continued to get better, each of them, and push each other," Kubiak said. "I think it's going to be a good thing for our football team. I'm going to hold off here and let them play this week and then we'll probably lock in before we go into our total San Diego process which would be the following Thursday. I'm going to let them compete one more week and see how it goes."
