Brian Hoyer in at quarterback for Houston

ATLANTA -- Down 42-0, the Houston Texans turned their quarterback carousel once more, giving the reins back to Brian Hoyer, who began the season as their starter.

Hoyer led three touchdown drives, including two passing. He finished 17-of-30 for 232 yards as the Texans lost 48-21 to theAtlanta Falcons.

Ryan Mallett left the game with a quarterback rating of 46.8, completing 12 of 27 passes for 150 yards and one interception.

Mallett was on the injury report this week with a chest injury and was limited in some of the Texans' practices, but he was listed as probable on the team's final injury report.

The Texans signed Mallett and Hoyer in free agency, and coach Bill O'Brien chose Hoyer as the team's Week 1 starter. Hoyer struggled in his debut, starting with an interception on his first pass, and was benched in the fourth quarter of the season opener.