Texans didn't release TJ Yates, instead trade him to Atlanta for Dent
T.J. Yates has been traded to the Falcons. (USATSI) More NFL offseason: League minicamp dates | Latest news, notesThough it was believed that, after the Texans named Ryan Fitzpatrick the starting quarterback, the team had released backup T.J. Yates on Tuesday, it turns out that wasn't the case after all.
Instead ...
The Falcons have traded LB Akeem Dent to Houston for QB TJ Yates. #RiseUp
- Atlanta_Falcons (@Atlanta_Falcons) June 19, 2014
As CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora writes, Yates actually was never released and never placed on waivers.
Wrote La Canfora: 'Yates was informed by the club he would not be back with them but rather than waive him there was some trade value and by sending him to the Falcons the Texans can control where he ends up.'
With Fitzpatrick as the starter in Texas and with Case Keenum and fourth-round pick Tom Savage as his backups, the Texans could afford to swap Keenum for Akeem Dent -- the fourth-year player who started seven of 15 games last season before losing his starting job and recorded 1.5 sacks and 51 tackles. In 2012, he accumulated a career-best 65 tackles.
Meanwhile, Yates, with one victory, is tied for the most playoff wins in Houston history, beating the Bengals in the 2012 postseason. It was thought Yates might have a good shot at landing another job with former Texans head coach Gary Kubiak, now the Ravens offensive coordinator.
Ravens had contemplated potentially putting in a waiver claim for T.J. Yates. However, Texans never released him, just said they would,
- Aaron Wilson (@RavensInsider) June 19, 2014
Instead, Yates now will battle with Dominique Davis for the right to back up Matt Ryan.
To replace Dent's spot on the roster, the Falcons also have signed linebacker Tim Dobbins.
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