The veteran quarterback provides a viable backup to second-year starter Caleb Williams in addition to the experience to serve as a mentor to the young quarterback. Keenum missed the entirety of the 2024 season after being placed on injured reserve in late August but should be near full health heading into the NFL Draft.

The timing of the move will result in Keenum missing the entirety of the 2024 regular season, leaving the Texans with only David Mills behind franchise quarterback C.J. Stroud. It is likely the team pursues a quarterback from waivers in the coming days. Keenum’s 11-year career has taken him all over the league but he has not operated as a starter since the 2018 season with the Broncos.

With the Texans trailing 36-7 at the 12:31 mark of the fourth quarter, Keenum was asked to take a seat for Davis Mills. The No. 3 quarterback was much better, though he was also facing a team that was so far ahead if benched Joe Flacco for several series. Mills deserves credit for making some big plays against soft coverage, but it wasn’t exactly a telling outcome. Thankfully for the Texans and their in-limbo playoff chances, C.J. Stroud (concussion) is trending toward a Week 17 return vs. Tennessee.