That was fast: Texans switch from Brian Hoyer to Ryan Mallett at quarterback

Brian Hoyer's debut as the Houston Texans' starting quarterback wasn't good: he was intercepted on his first pass attempt by Kansas City Chiefs rookie Marcus Peters well inside Houston territory, and was pulled in the fourth quarter for Ryan Mallett with the Texans down 27-9.

Head coach Bill O'Brien had maintained throughout the offseason and preseason that it was a close competition between Hoyer and Mallett but named Hoyer the starter.

Well ... that's changed.

The quick trigger from O'Brien is surprising, particularly since he indicated in his initial announcement to both quarterbacks that Hoyer would get a chance to prove himself. Lucky for us, the "Hard Knock" cameras were in the room.

"If things aren’t going very well – look, we’re not on a short leash here, but look, we’re not going to, like, sit there and let it go like eight games of not being very good. You need to be really ready to go," O'Brien told Hoyer.

He also told Mallett he expected him to react to the news like a professional and continue to prepare as though he were the starter – and within days Mallett overslept and missed practice, blaming a dead cell phone.

That, we assume, has been forgiven.

Mallett was 8-for-13 for 98 yards and a touchdown against Kansas City; he also led Houston on a field goal drive.