Case Keenum did not practice Wednesday afternoon because of a right thumb injury. He also won't play Sunday against Denver.
"His right thumb has some ligament problems," interim head coach Wade Phillips said. "He has to be in a splint all week."
The second-year quarterback hurt his thumb during Sunday's loss at Indianapolis, and underwent an MRI for it on Monday. In his place, Matt Schaub took the first-team reps and T.J. Yates was the backup.
"Matt will be starting at quarterback," Phillips said of Schaub. "Our team is 100 percent behind him. I know our real fans are going to be cheering for our team and also for him."
Schaub and the Texans beat the Broncos in 2012, 31-25. The veteran quarterback threw four touchdown passes that afternoon, going long distance for a 60-yard scoring strike to Andre Johnson and a 52-yarder to Kevin Walter. Arian Foster also scored on a 3-yard reception, and Owen Daniels pulled in a 14-yarder.
It was perhaps Schaub's finest game as a Texan, and offensive coordinator Rick Dennison explained Wednesday what Schaub did well in that contest.
"He did a great job of play-action early," Dennison said. "We did well until we gave the ball back to them one too many times."
So far in 2013, Keenum's started eight games and thrown nine touchdown passes and six interceptions. He's completed 137-of-253 attempts (54.2%) for 1,760 yards. Keenum's been sacked 19 times and has a quarterback rating of 78.2.
Phillips said there is a possibility Keenum can start the season finale at Tennessee on December 29.
