For the third time in his career, T.J. Yates is a Houston Texan.
Because Deshaun Watson is out for the season with a knee injury, Yates will be the backup quarterback to Tom Savage this Sunday against the Colts. He was drafted by the Texans in the fifth round of the 2011 NFL Draft, let go in the 2014 offseason, and then re-signed with the Texans in 2015.
"I was actually sitting by my son's hospital bed in Atlanta," Yates said. "(My) son's in the NICU. He was born three weeks ago. So, it was actually funny. My wife made me come. I wasn't going to come at first, but she made me come up here. She's doing good now. And sad to leave him, sad to leave my family, but happy to be here."
Quarterback T.J. Yates recently spent a weekend aboard an aircraft carrier.
As a Texan, Yates started seven regular season games and a pair of playoff contests in 2011. The Texans won five of those games with him under center. In 2015, Yates came off the bench and helped spark a Texans win at Cincinnati, and then started in a victory at home over the Jets. Returning to the facilities, according to Yates, wasn't tough.
"I know where to go everywhere in the building," Yates said. "I know where to drive. Everything's just so easy for me because I've been here for four years or so total combined. I'm really happy to be here. Obviously an unfortunate situation with Deshaun, I hate it for him."
Yates practiced with the Texans on Friday, and will be on the sidelines Sunday inside NRG Stadium at noon when the Week 9 matchup with the Colts kicks off.
The Houston Texans roster in photos. (Updated 3/1/2021)
ILB, Tyrell Adams #50
TE, Jordan Akins, 88
DT, Auzoyah Alufohai, #98
P, Bryan Anger, 9
CB, Cornell Armstrong, 30
C/G, Beau Benzschawel #62
DT, Ross Blacklock #90
ILB, Curtis Bolton #47
DT, Andrew Brown, #97
TE Pharaoh Brown #85
C, Cohl Cabral #72
WR, Randall Cobb #18
ILB, Dylan Cole, 51
CB, Gareon Conley, 22
WR, Brandin Cooks #13
WR, Isaiah Coulter #82
WR, Keke Coutee, 16
CB, Keion Crossen, 35
ILB, Zach Cunningham, 41
DE, Brandon Dunn, 92
OLB, Duke Ejiofor, 53
ILB, Kyle Emanuel, 56
K, Ka'imi Fairbairn, 7
TE, Darren Fells, 87
CB, Mark Fields II #39
G, Hjalte Froholdt #77
OL, Zach Fulton, 73
CB, Phillip Gaines #29
FB, Cullen Gillaspia, 44
OLB, Jonathan Greenard #52
ILB, Nate Hall, 48
NT, P.J. Hall #96
WR, Chad Hansen, #17
CB, Vernon Hargreaves III #26
T, Charlie Heck #67
RB, Dontrell Hilliard, #22
OL, Tytus Howard, 71
RB, Buddy Howell, 38
RB, David Johnson #31
CB, Lonnie Johnson, Jr., 32
T, Roderick Johnson #63
LS, Anthony Kukwa #45
LB, Jacob Martin, 54
QB, AJ McCarron #2
LB, Benardrick McKinney, 55
OLB, Whitney Mercilus, 59
WR, Steven Mitchell, Jr., 11
S, A.J. Moore, 33
S Eric Murray #23
DE, Charles Omenihu, 94
S, Jonathan Owens, 36
RB, Scottie Phillips, #40
G/T Brent Qvale #76
WR, Damion Ratley, #19
CB, John Reid #34
S, Justin Reid, 20
OLB, Brennan Scarlett, 57
OL, Max Scharping, 74
S, Michael Thomas #28
TE, Kahale Warring, 81
DL, Carlos Watkins, 91
QB, Deshaun Watson, 4
LS, Jon Weeks #46
