Tom Savage will start at quarterback against Cincinnati.
Head coach Bill O'Brien informed the team on Monday afternoon, and said the third-year pro will be under center Saturday night because it's "best for the team".
Savage replaced Brock Osweiler on Sunday against Jacksonville, and helped the Texans engineer a 13-point comeback. Houston triumphed, 21-20, and Savage completed 23-of-36 passes for 260 yards. He led the offense for nine possessions, and the Texans scored on five of those.
"Yesterday and this week, I feel like Tom Savage gives us the best chance to win," O'Brien said during a Monday press conference. "I'm going to give him a week to prepare as the starter and see what he can do for us on Saturday night against the Bengals."
O'Brien said he wanted Savage to "continue" what he did against the Jaguars, and that ultimately quarterbacks are judged on wins and getting their teams into the end zone.
The Texans selected Savage in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL Draft out of Pitt. He played in two games as a rookie that season, completing 10-of-19 passes for 127 yards. He didn't thrown any touchdowns and was picked off once.
"He's worked very hard to know our offense," O'Brien said. "He's a good practice player, and now he has to continue to be a good player on Sundays."
After Sunday's win against the Jaguars, Savage was asked about his level of mental preparedness.
"I wouldn't be suited up if I wasn't mentally ready to go out there," Savage said. "That's what this team deserves. They deserve someone to go in there and perform. When they call my name, that's what I tried to do."
Savage connected with Ryan Griffin eight times for 85 yards, and the tight end was impressed with his quarterback's demeanor and decision-making.
"He came in with a confidence and a calmness and I think we really fed off of that" Griffin said.
The Texans host the Bengals at NRG Stadium on Saturday evening at 7:30.
