Texans' Bill O'Brien declines to name starting QB for playoffs

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Texans coach Bill O'Brien would not name a starting quarterback for the team's first-round playoff game next weekend.

Quarterback Tom Savage, who started Sunday's 24-17 loss to the Tennessee Titans, left the game early in the second quarter to be evaluated for a concussion.

He did briefly return for one play, when he took a knee to end the half, but was re-evaluated at halftime and ruled out for the rest of the game.

Savage was 5-of-8 for 25 yards prior to his injury.

Savage was replaced by former starting quarterback Brock Osweiler, who finished 21-of-40 for 253 yards and a touchdown. He did not throw an interception, and he also ran for a 1-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter.

O'Brien said there will be an evaluation if Savage clears the concussion protocol.

"We will talk about [who will start next week] as a staff," O'Brien said. "We will talk about that tomorrow and the next day."

O'Brien said Savage would have played in the second half if he had not been diagnosed with a concussion. Savage did not talk to the media after the game due to his concussion.

Osweiler started the first 14 games of the season for the Texans, but he was benched for Savage in Houston's Week 15 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars after he threw two first-half interceptions. Sunday's loss was just Savage's second career NFL start.

After the game, O'Brien said he didn't know what happened at halftime regarding Savage because he doesn't "meet with the doctors."

"I don't know anything about the injuries," O'Brien said. "I just walked off the field. I don't meet with the doctors. They just tell me what it is tomorrow and that's it.

"Injuries happen. That's football."

The Texans signed Osweiler to a four-year, $72 million contract during the offseason, but he struggled this season, entering the game with 14 touchdowns and 16 interceptions in 14 games this season.