HOUSTON – The Houston Texans have extended the contracts of QB Ryan Mallett and ILB Jeff Tarpinian, it was announced today. Terms of the contracts were not disclosed.
Mallett (6-6, 245), who came to the Texans in a trade from the New England Patriots last August, started two games in 2014 and completed 41 of 75 passes for 400 yards and two touchdowns before being placed on injured reserve for the remainder of the season.
In his first career start, the former third round pick out of Arkansas led the Texans to their best and most-balanced offensive output of the season in the win at Cleveland. Houston produced season highs of 424 yards of total offense and 213 yards rushing. Mallett was 20 of 30 passing for 211 yards, two touchdowns and one interception for a 95.3 passer rating.
Tarpinian (6-3, 240) was signed by the Texans on Oct. 28, 2013 and has seen action in 22 games (three starts) for the Texans, totaling 31 tackles (17 solo), 0.5 sacks, and one pass defensed. Tarpinian recorded a team-high 12 special teams tackles in 2014 while also forcing a fumble on punt coverage Week 5 at Dallas.
The former Iowa Hawkeye was signed by the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2011 and played two seasons in New England before coming to Houston. For his career, Tarpinian has played in 31 games (four starts), recording 36 tackles, 0.5 sacks, one pass defensed and 17 special teams tackles. Tarpinian also set the Texans franchise record with 16 tackles in his first starts as a Texan vs. Oakland in 2013.
Quarterback Ryan Mallett's 2014 with the Texans, in photos.
