Ryan Mallett isn't the starting quarterback, but that hasn't changed his daily approach.
"I don't know what else to do but work my ass off, so that's what I'm going to keep doing," Mallett said.
On Monday, Bill O'Brien named Brian Hoyer the starter. The head coach said it was a tough decision, and also added that he has a lot of respect for both Hoyer and Mallett. Two practices have been completed since, and O'Brien described what he's seen so far from Mallett.
"He disagrees, but he's going to go to work and prepare like he's going to play, and that's what he's done," O'Brien said.
The backup said he's experienced a range of emotions, including anger to disappointment. But ultimately, Mallett said he'll continue to prepare like he always does.
"Being here for another year, obviously really helped me," Mallett said. "I have to be ready at the drop of a hat and be ready to help this team win."
Hoyer will start against New Orleans in Sunday's preseason contest, but O'Brien said Mallett and second-year quarterback Tom Savage will also play as well.
The Houston Texans roster in photos. (Updated 4/12/2021)

TE, Jordan Akins, #88

DL, Auzoyah Alufohai, #98

DB, Cornell Armstrong, #30

DL, Ross Blacklock, #90

OL, Justin Britt

DB, Terrence Brooks

TE, Pharaoh Brown, #85

OL, Cohl Cabral, #72

OL, Marcus Cannon

WR, Randall Cobb, #18

DL, Maliek Collins

WR, Chris Conley

WR, Brandin Cooks, #13

WR, Isaiah Coulter, #82

WR, Keke Coutee, #16

DB, Keion Crossen, #35

LB, Zach Cunningham, #41

LB, Tae Davis

DL, Brandon Dunn, #92

LB, Duke Ejiofor, #53

WR, Alex Erickson

K, Ka'imi Fairbairn, #7

QB, Ryan Finley

OL, Hjalte Froholdt, #77

LB, Jonathan Greenard, #52

LB, Kamu Grugier-Hill

LB, Nate Hall, #48

DB, Vernon Hargreaves III, #26

OL, Charlie Heck, #67

RB, Dontrell Hilliard, #27

OL, Tytus Howard, #71

RB, Buddy Howell, #38

RB, Mark Ingram

TE, Ryan Izzo

LB, Jordan Jenkins

RB, David Johnson, #31

DL, Jaleel Johnson

DB, Lonnie Johnson Jr., #32

P, Cameron Johnston

DB, Desmond King

LB, Christian Kirksey

DL, Shaq Lawson

RB, Phillip Lindsay

LB, Jacob Martin, #54

OL, Justin McCray

LB, Whitney Mercilus, #59

DB, Terrance Mitchell

WR, Donte Moncrief

DB, A.J. Moore Jr., #33

WR, Chris Moore

DB, Eric Murray, #23

LB, Hardy Nickerson

DL, Charles Omenihu, #94

DB, Jonathan Owens, #36

LB, Kevin Pierre-Louis

RB, Scottie Phillips, #40

TE, Paul Quessenberry

DB, John Reid, #34

DB, Justin Reid, #20

DL, Derek Rivers

WR, Andre Roberts

DB, Bradley Roby, #21

OL, Max Scharping, #74

DB, Tremon Smith

OL, Jordan Steckler

QB, Tyrod Taylor

DL, Vincent Taylor

LB, Joe Thomas

DB, Tavierre Thomas

OL, Cole Toner

OL, Laremy Tunsil, #78

TE, Kahale Warring, #81

QB, Deshaun Watson, #4

LS, Jon Weeks #46