The Houston Texans are in a holding pattern at quarterback.
Starter Ryan Mallett came out during the second quarter of Thursday night's 27-20 loss to the Indianapolis Colts after being hit in the midsection by linebacker Sio Moore on a play that was flagged for roughing the passer in the second quarter.
After Brian Hoyer took over the offense, Mallett attempted to re-enter only to be waved off by coach Bill O'Brien.
Mallett was visibly frustrated on the sideline as Hoyer completed a pair of first-down passes in a drive that resulted in a field goal -- Houston's first points of the game.
Hoyer succeeded in moving the offense to close out the first half, which had been a Herculean task for Mallett. Hoyer remained at quarterback for the rest of the game after connecting with Jaelen Strong on a 42-yard Hail Mary touchdown pass as time expired in the second quarter to pull Houston to within three points.
However, Hoyer threw an interception in the closing minutes on the Texans' final possession to end their hopes of a comeback.