Rookie Davis Mills will make his first NFL start when the Houston Texans host the 2-0 Carolina Panthers on Thursday night.
"Davis will start the game," Head Coach David Culley said Tuesday. "Tyrod will not play."
Taylor suffered a hamstring injury on a 15-yard touchdown run late in the second quarter of Sunday's game at Cleveland. The 11-year veteran underwent an MRI on Monday, but his timetable for return is still uncertain, according to Culley. Mills entered the game after halftime and threw for 102 yards, and a touchdown pass to Brandin Cooks to bring the Texans to within just three, down 24-21 in the fourth quarter.
Culley said to expect the same style of offense from the Texans with Mills under center.
"We'll have the same playbook," Culley said. "Obviously, there are some things that he is a little different than Tyrod, but we actually have the same kind of plays. We'll use the things that fit him more so than what we did with Tyrod. Some of the things we did with Tyrod, we may not do with him in the run game, but as far as the pass game, it will basically be the same thing."
The Texans will likely elevate veteran QB Jeff Driskel from the practice squad to serve as backup to Mills. Deshaun Watson, who is on the roster, has not been practicing and will remain inactive on Gameday.
Through six quarters this season, Taylor completed 31-of-44 passes, 70.5 percent completion rate (average 9.4 yards per attempt), three touchdowns, no interceptions and a 122.9 passer rating. He also rushed for 55 yards on five carries and a score.
The Texans will host the Carolina Panthers on Thursday Night Football. Kickoff is set for 7:20 p.m. CT on NBC, NFL Network and SportsRadio 610. Click here for tickets.
