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The Houston Texans have added veteran quarterback Brett Rypien following an injury to Graham Mertz. The move gives Houston an experienced emergency option behind C.J. Stroud and Davis Mills.
The NFL transaction report confirmed that the Texans signed Brett Rypien on Saturday, Aug. 15. Houston also placed Mertz on injured reserve.
Texans Sign Brett Rypien to Restore Quarterback Depth
Rypien joins the Texans during an important stretch of the preseason. The 30-year-old will have limited time to learn Houston’s offense before the team’s remaining exhibition games.
Houston entered training camp with Stroud, Mills and Mertz as its three quarterbacks. Mertz’s injury left the Texans needing another passer for practices and preseason action.
The team has not announced Rypien’s role beyond his addition to the roster. However, he is expected to work behind Stroud and Mills.
Stroud remains Houston’s starting quarterback. The Texans exercised his fifth-year contract option during the offseason, keeping him under team control through the 2027 season.
Mills provides experienced insurance as the primary backup. He has started 29 regular-season games since Houston selected him in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Rypien now gives the Texans a third healthy quarterback. That depth helps Houston limit unnecessary preseason snaps for Stroud and Mills.
Graham Mertz Moves to Injured Reserve
Mertz suffered a knee injury during Houston’s preseason opener against the Los Angeles Chargers. The Texans later moved him to injured reserve as part of the roster transaction involving Rypien.
Houston drafted Mertz in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. The former Florida and Wisconsin quarterback spent his rookie season developing behind Stroud and Mills.
Mertz had previously recovered from a torn anterior cruciate ligament suffered during his final college season. The Texans have not publicly detailed a recovery timeline for his latest injury.
His absence creates an opportunity for Rypien to compete for the third quarterback position. Rypien could also become a practice squad candidate when Houston reduces its roster.
NFL teams must complete their final reduction to 53 players on Aug. 30. Roster decisions will depend on health, preseason performance and positional needs.
Brett Rypien Brings NFL Experience to Houston
Rypien entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent from Boise State in 2019. He spent his first several professional seasons with the Denver Broncos.
The veteran has also spent time with the Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, New York Jets, Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings. His experience includes regular-season starts with Denver and Los Angeles.
Rypien is listed at 6 feet 2 inches and 210 pounds. His NFL player profile lists him as an eighth-year player.
His familiarity with several NFL systems could help him adjust quickly. Still, the preseason will offer the clearest measure of his progress in Houston’s offense.
The signing does not change the top of the Texans’ quarterback depth chart. Stroud remains the starter, while Mills is positioned as the immediate backup.
However, quarterback depth can become critical during a long NFL season. Rypien gives Houston another experienced option while Mertz begins his recovery.
Texans fans can watch the remaining preseason games for Rypien’s first possible appearance in a Houston uniform and further updates on the team’s quarterback rotation.