As the Houston Texans were enduring a losing streak with rookie quarterback Davis Mills under center, the expectation was the offense would open back up once Tyrod Taylor returned to the starting role.
That was not the case as the Texans fell 17-9 to the Miami Dolphins in Week 9 at Hard Rock Stadium. Taylor chucked three interceptions as part of Houston’s four overall turnovers.
Receiver Chris Conley believes that Taylor will bounce back after the Dolphins loss, which was his first game back since injuring his hamstring in Week 2.
“I expect him to bounce back,” said Taylor. “He’s always been a hard worker. Regardless of what anyone has said about his performance, or anything like that, I know that he’s critiqued it harder. He’s looked at it many more times than anyone else, and he’s also worked at the things that have happened and the things that he has to get better at, anything that he considers a deficiency.”
Taylor completed 24-of-43 for 240 yards and rushed three times for 23 yards. Miami’s pass rush dropped the former Pro Bowler five times.
Conley says that Taylor isn’t using his long layoff while being on injured reserve between Week 2 and Week 9 as an excuse.
“There’s no excuse in his game,” Conley said. “He knows that the team relies on him, and that we need him to play at a high level. He was the first person to tell us that, ‘Hey, I ask you guys to do your job and execute every day. I didn’t do my job today, and that’s why we’re in this position.’”
The Texans come off of their bye with a 1-8 record and take on the 8-2 Tennessee Titans Nov. 21 at Nissan Stadium. The Titans have not lost a game against the Texans since Week 15 of 2019 when Houston prevailed 24-21 en route to winning their most recent AFC South title.