Houston, TX (SportsNetwork.com) - Houston Texans quarterback Ryan Mallett will miss the remainder of the season because of a torn pectoral muscle that will require surgery, according to a report in the Houston Chronicle.
Mallett was on last week's injury report with a strained chest muscle, listed as questionable for Sunday's game against Cincinnati. He tried to play through the injury against the Bengals and struggled during the contest, completing only 21-of-45 passes for 189 yards with an interception in the 22-13 loss.
Texans head coach Bill O'Brien would not confirm whether Mallett's injury is season-ending at his Monday press conference, saying only that the team is still evaluating the fourth-year pro.
Mallett was making just his second career NFL start on Sunday. He had taken over for Ryan Fitzpatrick in Week 11 against Cleveland and threw for 211 yards with a pair of touchdowns and an interception in a 23-7 win.
The 26-year-old is in his first season with the Texans, who acquired the Arkansas product from the New England Patriots in a trade just prior to the start of the campaign.
Fitzpatrick started the first nine games and is expected to return to the role. He has connected on 61.8 percent of his passes for 1,960 yards with 11 touchdowns and eight interceptions this season.
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