Texans will reportedly start Kyle Allen over Davis Mills vs. Dolphins

The Davis Mills era with the Houston Texans may already be over. 

NFL Network's Mike Garafolo (h/t Nick Shook) reported Wednesday that Texans head coach Lovie Smith is expected to start journeyman backup quarterback Kyle Allen in place of Mills when the 1-8-1 Texans play at the 7-3 Miami Dolphins this coming Sunday. ESPN's DJ Bien-Aime later echoed that report. 

As Josh Alper noted for Pro Football Talk, Smith declined to officially name a QB1 for Sunday's clash while speaking with reporters on Wednesday. 

"I do not announce who is starting through the week," Smith explained. "Of course, we’re not going to announce things like that. I think that will give the opponent the advantage." 

Smith was vocally against the idea of benching Mills as recently as after the 24-16 loss at the New York Giants on Nov. 13, but the 2021 third-round draft pick has done little throughout the season to cement his status atop the depth chart. According to ESPN stats, Mills will hit the bench 30th in the NFL among qualified quarterbacks with a 78.1 passer rating and a 29.3 total QBR, 28th with a 61.9% completion percentage, and 19th with 2,144 passing yards on the campaign. In 10 games, Mills has thrown 11 touchdowns and a league-worst 11 interceptions. 

Wednesday's development represents an undeniable fall from grace for Mills, who was lauded by Smith as a potential long-term replacement for Deshaun Watson as far back as February and throughout springtime and summer workouts. With the Texans on pace to finish the season possessing the league's worst overall record, Houston's 2023 Week 1 starting signal-caller may not be on the roster ahead of Thanksgiving Day.