Texans remain confident in Tyrod Taylor despite struggles against the Dolphins

HOUSTON — When Tyrod Taylor made his return from a six-game hiatus due to an injury on Sunday, there were expectations that his comeback would spur the Houston Texans to a victory against the struggling Miami Dolphins.

But the results of the Texans’ Week 9 performance produced the latter in Taylor’s return, as Houston dropped their eighth consecutive game in a 17-9 loss to the Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.

Taylor threw three interceptions in the loss — marking the second time in his career he committed a trio of picks in a single game since 2015 as a member of the Buffalo Bills.

Immediately after the loss, coach David Culley called Taylor’s appalling performance “uncharacteristic.” And on Monday, Culley reiterated his commitment to Taylor as the Texans’ starting quarterback after the team returns from their bye week against the 7-2 Tennessee Titans.

“We can sit here and give him an excuse that he hasn’t played in six weeks, but he’s been around, he’s practiced, he’s a veteran,” Culley said. “He just didn’t play very well — uncharacteristically of him. “I expect him to be much, much better. I expect him to be the same Tyrod that he’s been through his career.”

Taylor’s teammates echoed the same allegiance as Culley in the wake of his abhorrent performance against the Dolphins. Safety Justin Reid said despite his struggles, Taylor’s presence brought a “better energy” to the team. While Offensive lineman Justin McCray said he felt at any moment Taylor would make a play to get the Texans back into the ball game.

For Taylor, he attributed his inferior play in Miami to bad decision-making, and it is something he ensures to clean up entering the second half of the season.

Culley said after the game, he held a one-on-one conversation with Taylor to keep him encouraged, stating that the 11-year veteran quarterback still gives the 1-8 Texans the best chance of winning.

“I walked into this game fully confident in my ability to go out and perform,” Taylor said. “It was just a lack of execution. I own up to that. I have to be better for our team to have a chance to win. And I’ll be better.”