Making his first career start, Case Keenum showed well in Houston's Week 7 loss to the Chiefs, completing 15-of-25 passes for 271 yards, one touchdown and one turnover. Considering the circumstances - Keenum was on the road in one of the league's loudest stadiums, and lost his starting running back on his first series - Keenum played remarkably well. Keenum had six passes go for at least 25 yards, while he showed no fear against the league's top pass rush. That pass rush was what ultimately did him in, however, as the Chiefs started sending extra blitzers in the second half, where they notched all five of their sacks. Keenum coughed up the ball for a game-ending fumble on K.C.'s final takedown. Nevertheless, it was a best-case scenario performance, and should at least create a quarterback debate during Houston's Week 8 bye. Keenum would get the Colts in Week 9 if he gets another start.

Texans QB coach Karl Dorrell says Case Keenum's Week 7 start against the Chiefs "will shed light about where do you go beyond this point." So Keenum has a chance to run with the job if he plays well. "That's the best-case scenario. We'd love to put ourselves in that position," Dorrell said when asked if Keenum could make the quarterback decision a tough one. The chances of Keenum lighting up the stat sheet are slim against a terrifying Kansas City defense. The Texans have internally compared Keenum to Jake Plummer, whom coach Gary Kubiak was with in Denver. Houston is desperate for a spark.

The Texans have named Case Keenum their Week 7 starting quarterback.

Texans coach Gary Kubiak said Case Keenum is "going to push" T.J. Yates for the backup quarterback job. The Texans only keep two quarterbacks on the final 53-man roster. Keenum (6-foot-1, 208) set all kinds of passing records at the University of Houston, but he doesn't possess NFL size or arm strength. He spent last season on the practice squad, and we'd bet he ends up back there. Yates should win the job.

Texans signed QB Case Keenum, OT Nick Mondek, WR Jeff Maehl, DE Keith Browner, and TE Jake Byrne to reserve/future contracts. These players finished the season on Houston's practice squad. Maehl, a former Oregon star, is a special teams prospect in the NFL. Keenum set all kinds of records at the University of Houston, but has a third-stringer's arm.

Texans coach Gary Kubiak believes undrafted QB Case Keenum has an NFL future. "He's well on his way to learning what he's doing, so I'm very pleased," Kubiak said last week. "I'm excited to work with him." Keenum is facing long odds of beating out John Beck out for Houston's third-string job, but Beck's age (30) and lack of in-game success are working against him. Keenum is still most likely ticketed for the practice squad, however.