New-look Ryan Fitzpatrick gets start for Texans Sunday

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Texans quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick has a new look and his old job back.

A somewhat clean-shaven Fitzpatrick was named Texans starting quarterback Wednesday, two games after being benched in favor of Ryan Mallett.

Fitzpatrick, whose long beard has been his signature look for years, appeared much different than we'd seen him since joining the Texans through free agency in the offseason.

The first questions he got were about his new look.

"I'm kind of mad you guys didn't tell me I looked like that," Fitzpatrick joked with reporters. "I finally got some time to look in the mirror and thought it looked disgusting, so I shared it off. "

Fitzpatrick got the starting job back after Mallett suffered a pectoral muscle injury that will likely sideline him for the rest of the season. Mallett led the Texans to a win over Cleveland, but sustained the injury in the process. During warm-ups against Cincinnati this past Sunday, Mallett re-aggravated it.

Fitzpatrick will start Sunday against the Titans.

"Going about my business like I always do, in terms of preparing, getting myself ready, getting the guys ready," said Fitzpatrick.

Anytime you play a division opponent that second game, there are always going to be a few wrinkles and things to adjust and try to prepare for. It should be a good game.

So far this season, Fitzpatrick has thrown for 1,960 yards, completing 61.8 percent of his passes. He's thrown 11 touchdowns and 8 interceptions. In the first game against Tennessee, Fitzpatrick was 19 of 35 for 227 yards and a touchdown.

Before Mallett went down, he threw for 400 yards with 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions.