Case Keenum won’t be taking the field for the Houston Texans in 2024.
According to the Houston Chronicle’s Jonathan M Alexander, Keenum will be placed on the season-ending injured reserve list with a foot injury. The veteran passer left early in Saturday’s 17-15 win over the Los Angeles Rams, though his long-term status was never released.
The team confirmed the news following roster cuts Tuesday afternoon.
Given the new NFLPA ruling on carrying three quarterbacks, Keenum was at risk of being cut and perhaps being brought back on the practice squad. In the past, most teams would have kept two quarterbacks on the 53-man roster and one on the practice squad, which would have opened up a roster spot for another position.
If Keenum was at 100 percent, the ideal plan would be to place him on the practice squad and raise him for gamedays. He’d stay as an on-field mentor for C.J. Stroud and Davis Mills while serving as the emergency quarterback.
Texans release their 53 man roster.
The Texans are going with 2 QBs after they placed Case Keenum on season ending IR. pic.twitter.com/cCYdXb97lP
— DJ Bien-Aime (@Djbienaime) August 27, 2024
But the emergency quarterback rule was vetoed by the NFLPA this offseason, meaning Keenum would have to make the 53-man roster to be active each week. If placed on the practice squad, he could only be elevated three times per season before having his contract picked up to the 53-man roster.
“We’re still working through that when it comes to the third quarterback situation,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said Monday. “We’re still working through that and we’ll figure that out (Tuesday) afternoon.”
With Keenum in the IR, the Texans could bring back Tim Boyle to the practice squad following his release Tuesday. He performed well in the final preseason game, completing 19 of 28 pass attempts for 142 yards and two touchdowns.
Case Keenum is a valuable mentor for Stroud. With Keenum going on IR for the season, he can still mentor Stroud. Shrewd move by both sides.
— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) August 27, 2024
Keenum is one of the more respected players in the locker room, so keeping him around should keep morale high. Even if he doesn’t play, he adds value in leadership from the sidelines.
The 36-year-old Keenum’s career could come after the 2024 season and his third stint with the team. If he does come back for the 2025 campaign, he’ll likely compete with someone else for the title of QB No. 2 as Mills is entering a contract year.
Last season, Keenum started two games in place of Stroud. He was 34-of-53 for 291 yards with a touchdown pass and three interceptions, though he managed to get a late-season road win over the Tennessee Titans that helped the Texans secure their first division title in four years.
The Texans will finalize their practice squad Wednesday at 11 a.m. Houston travels to Indianapolis to take on the Colts on Sept. 8 for the season opener.