Agent: T.J. Yates cleared to return to football activities

Free-agent quarterback T.J. Yates has been cleared to return to football activities, agent Brian Ayrault announced on Twitter.

Yates suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament last December when the Houston Texans played the Indianapolis Colts in Week 15.

He played in four games last season for Houston, starting two of those appearances. He signed with the Texans after Ryan Mallett was released.

His 2015 debut came when starting quarterback Brian Hoyer suffered a concussion against the Cincinnati Bengals. Yates threw the game's only touchdown and the Texans beat the then-undefeated Bengals 10-6.

Houston originally drafted Yates in the fifth round of the 2011 draft. He helped the Texans clinch their first playoff berth in franchise history with a win over the Bengals in 2011. He later led the Texans to their first ever playoff win by defeating the Bengals again.

Yates has thrown seven touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 20 career regular season and postseason games.