Even after the conclusion of training camp, the Houston Texans still do not have a QB3. After losing Graham Mertz for the season, Houston picked up Brett Rypien to serve as the third quarterback for the remainder of the season.
When the Texans came out with their initial 53-man roster, they only had two quarterbacks - starter C.J. Stroud and backup Davis Mills.
Rypien not only did not make the roster, but the Texans also chose not to bring him back to the practice squad. In fact, there isn't a single passing option on the practice squad as Houston enters Week 1.
General Manager Nick Caserio said Houston will likely add a third quarterback at some point.
“We’ll kind of look at that. At some point we'll probably have another quarterback in the building
besides me," Caserio said. "I don't think anybody wants to see that. At some point we'll probably have a third quarterback in here.”
Caserio did not explicitly say whether Houston would be open to signing a quarterback to the active roster or just to the practice squad. They currently have a few spots open on their practice squad, so they have room to pick up a quarterback if they want to.
Nick Caserio on CJ Stroud extension talks:
— Houston Stressans (@TexansCommenter) September 1, 2026
“We’ve had productive discussions. The reality is we will either get it figured out before the season starts & if we don’t then it will be something we address in the offseason. Whenever it happens, it happens.” pic.twitter.com/PazweY2wiM
Letting go of Rypien and heading into the season with just two quarterbacks shows the confidence the coaching staff must have in Mills. If Stroud goes down, Mills is the only player on the roster who could step in for him.
There is no recourse in the event Stroud and Mills are injured and since the NFL allows teams to designate an emergency quarterback now, it would make sense for Houston to add a quarterback to the roster before their season opener against the Buffalo Bills on Sun. Sept. 13 (Noon / CBS).
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans GM discusses potential of adding a third QB after cutting Rypien
