Texans' Tom Savage getting better, won't play Sunday
By Aaron Wilson, Houston Chronicle
Published 6:07 pm, Wednesday, December 13, 2017
Photo: Karen Warren, Staff
Texans quarterback Tom Savage (3) heads toward the locker room after being diagnosed with a concussion in Sunday's 26-16 loss to the 49ers at NRG Stadium.
Texans quarterback Tom Savage (3) heads toward the locker room after being diagnosed with a concussion in Sunday's 26-16 loss to the 49ers at NRG Stadium.
Photo: Karen Warren, Staff
Texans quarterback Tom Savage went to the sideline after being hit by 49ers defensive end Elvis Dumervil, but he returned to the field for one series.
Texans quarterback Tom Savage went to the sideline after being hit by 49ers defensive end Elvis Dumervil, but he returned to the field for one series.
Photo: Brett Coomer, Staff
Houston Texans quarterback Tom Savage (3) lies on the turf after getting sacked and suffering a concussion during the second quarter of an NFL football game at NRG Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017, in Houston. ( Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle )
lessHouston Texans quarterback Tom Savage (3) lies on the turf after getting sacked and suffering a concussion during the second quarter of an NFL football game at NRG Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017, in Houston. (
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Houston Texans quarterback Tom Savage (3) gets up off the turf after getting sacked and suffering a concussion during the second quarter of an NFL football game at NRG Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017, in Houston. ( Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle )
lessHouston Texans quarterback Tom Savage (3) gets up off the turf after getting sacked and suffering a concussion during the second quarter of an NFL football game at NRG Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017, in
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Houston Texans quarterback Tom Savage (3) runs off the field after getting sacked and suffering a concussion during the second quarter of an NFL football game at NRG Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017, in Houston. ( Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle )
lessHouston Texans quarterback Tom Savage (3) runs off the field after getting sacked and suffering a concussion during the second quarter of an NFL football game at NRG Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017, in Houston.
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JOHN McCLAIN GRADES THE TEXANS AFTER LOSS TO 49ERS
Quarterback
A concussion sidelined Tom Savage. T.J. Yates engineered two 75-yard touchdown drives that ended with scoring passes to DeAndre Hopkins. They failed to score on their last five possessions.
Grade: C
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JOHN McCLAIN GRADES THE TEXANS AFTER LOSS TO 49ERS
Quarterback
A concussion sidelined Tom Savage. T.J. Yates engineered two 75-yard touchdown drives that ended with scoring passes to DeAndre Hopkins. They failed
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JOHN McCLAIN GRADES THE TEXANS AFTER LOSS TO 49ERS
Running back
The Texans have no running game because the offensive line can’t open enough holes to help Lamar Miller, who averaged 3.1 yards on 17 carries. Without T.J. Yates’ 31 yards, they would have had 59.
Grade: D
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JOHN McCLAIN GRADES THE TEXANS AFTER LOSS TO 49ERS
Running back
The Texans have no running game because the offensive line can’t open enough holes to help Lamar Miller, who averaged 3.1 yards on 17 carries.
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JOHN McCLAIN GRADES THE TEXANS AFTER LOSS TO 49ERS
Wide receiver/tight end
DeAndre Hopkins had 11 catches for 149 yards and two touchdowns but lost a fumble in the fourth quarter. Stephen Anderson dropped two passes and had a penalty. Will Fuller wasn’t a factor after a good start.
Grade: C
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JOHN McCLAIN GRADES THE TEXANS AFTER LOSS TO 49ERS
Wide receiver/tight end
DeAndre Hopkins had 11 catches for 149 yards and two touchdowns but lost a fumble in the fourth quarter. Stephen Anderson dropped two
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JOHN McCLAIN GRADES THE TEXANS AFTER LOSS TO 49ERS
Offensive line
The run blocking continues to plummet, especially when they try to run to either side. Tom Savage and T.J. Yates were knocked down seven times, including three sacks - not all the fault of the linemen.
Grade: F-plus
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JOHN McCLAIN GRADES THE TEXANS AFTER LOSS TO 49ERS
Offensive line
The run blocking continues to plummet, especially when they try to run to either side. Tom Savage and T.J. Yates were knocked down seven times,
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JOHN McCLAIN GRADES THE TEXANS AFTER LOSS TO 49ERS
Defensive line
Except for a 31-yard run by Carlos Hyde, the linemen did a good job against the run. On the 49ers’ other 30 carries, they averaged 2.3 yards. The linemen failed to register a sack.
Grade: C-plus
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JOHN McCLAIN GRADES THE TEXANS AFTER LOSS TO 49ERS
Defensive line
Except for a 31-yard run by Carlos Hyde, the linemen did a good job against the run. On the 49ers’ other 30 carries, they averaged 2.3 yards.
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JOHN McCLAIN GRADES THE TEXANS AFTER LOSS TO 49ERS
Linebackers
Jadeveon Clowney, who also played end, had two tackles for loss and four hits on the quarterback. The linebackers had the only two sacks and eight of the nine hits on Jimmy Garoppolo.
Grade: B-minus
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JOHN McCLAIN GRADES THE TEXANS AFTER LOSS TO 49ERS
Linebackers
Jadeveon Clowney, who also played end, had two tackles for loss and four hits on the quarterback. The linebackers had the only two sacks and eight of
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JOHN McCLAIN GRADES THE TEXANS AFTER LOSS TO 49ERS
Defensive backs
Kareem Jackson had the only takeaway on an interception. They struggled in coverage and left too many receivers wide open. They gave up too many big pass plays.
Grade: D
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JOHN McCLAIN GRADES THE TEXANS AFTER LOSS TO 49ERS
Defensive backs
Kareem Jackson had the only takeaway on an interception. They struggled in coverage and left too many receivers wide open. They gave up too many
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JOHN McCLAIN GRADES THE TEXANS AFTER LOSS TO 49ERS
Special teams
Ka’imi Fairbairn kicked a 55-yard field goal and missed an extra point. Then he missed a 52-yard field goal. The return game was non-existent. Coverage was sound. Shane Lechler had a 52.3 gross and a 43.2 net.
Grade: C-minus
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JOHN McCLAIN GRADES THE TEXANS AFTER LOSS TO 49ERS
Special teams
Ka’imi Fairbairn kicked a 55-yard field goal and missed an extra point. Then he missed a 52-yard field goal. The return game was non-existent.
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JOHN McCLAIN GRADES THE TEXANS AFTER LOSS TO 49ERS
Coaching
Players continue to go down with injuries, but it’s embarrassing to lose by 10 points to the 49ers at home even though they’re a better team with Jimmy Garoppolo at quarterback.
Grade: F
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JOHN McCLAIN GRADES THE TEXANS AFTER LOSS TO 49ERS
Coaching
Players continue to go down with injuries, but it’s embarrassing to lose by 10 points to the 49ers at home even though they’re a better team with
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JOHN McCLAIN GRADES THE TEXANS AFTER LOSS TO 49ERS
OVERALL GRADE
Welcome to rock bottom. The Texans lost by 10 points at home to the 49ers. They were 2-10 entering the game. Now they’re 2-0 with Jimmy Garoppolo as their starting quarterback.
Grade: F
lessJOHN McCLAIN GRADES THE TEXANS AFTER LOSS TO 49ERS
OVERALL GRADE
Welcome to rock bottom. The Texans lost by 10 points at home to the 49ers. They were 2-10 entering the game. Now they’re 2-0 with Jimmy Garoppolo
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Texans' Tom Savage getting better, won't play Sunday
Although Texans quarterback Tom Savage is improving, he remains under the NFL concussion protocol and is unavailable for a Sunday road game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Savage suffered a major concussion Sunday when he was blasted by San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Elvis Dumervil. The handling of his injury and him being allowed to go back into the game initially before later being ruled out is the subject of an NFL-NFL Players Association joint investigation.
"I talked to him a few times, a couple times," Texans coach Bill O'Brien. "Seems like he's doing well. He's in the protocol and he's just kind of going through that right now."
O'Brien said that Savage hasn't been ruled out for a Christmas game next week against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
"There's always a chance for those things, yeah," he said.
T.J. Yates will start with Savage out. The Texans are planning to promote Taylor Heinicke from the practice squad to be the backup.
"Taylor Heinicke will be the backup, more than likely," O'Brien said. "We haven't made that roster move yet but that's the way we're leaning right now."
O'Brien declined to say who would be his emergency quarterback. Braxton Miller is under the NFL concussion protocol.
"I don't want to get into that," O'Brien said. "I have one or two or three, but you can find that out on gameday."
http://www.chron.com/sports/texans/article/Texans-Tom-Savage-getting-better-won-t-play-12428884.php
