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.
