Texans coach Bill O'Brien confirmed Thursday that Ryan Mallett will start at quarterback Sunday against the Panthers.
After Brian Hoyer started for the Texans in Week 1 against the Chiefs, Mallett relieved him with 6:10 left in the game and the Texans down by 27-9. Mallett proceeded to complete 8 of 13 passes for 98 yards and TD in the game, while adding "a spark to our team," in the words of O'Brien.
Given how quickly the team yanked Hoyer after he won the job during the preseason, we're not sure how much job security Mallett possesses. The fifth-year signal caller does have a big arm, so if can demonstrate a degree of accuracy and limit his mistakes on Sunday, he could cement his status atop the team's depth chart.