Ryan Mallett

Texans coach Bill O'Brien is keeping his team's quarterback controversy alive.

O'Brien has a good idea of who his starting quarterback will be for Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers, but he isn't sharing that information.

"You'll have to wait until the first offensive play of the Carolina game to see who the quarterback will be," O'Brien said.

Brian Hoyer struggled after starting the Texans' season-opening loss to the Kansas City Chiefs and was benched for Ryan Mallett in the fourth quarter.

Hoyer completed 18-of-34 passes Sunday with one touchdown and one interception and was sacked four times. Mallett entered the game with the Texans trailing 27-9. He threw a touchdown and a two-point conversion and then led a field goal drive. The Texans could not recover an onside kick with less than two minutes remaining, which would have given them the opportunity to tie the game.

Mallett finished 8-for-13 for 98 yards and a touchdown.

O'Brien declined to evaluate each player's performance. He also declined to give the reason for benching Hoyer.

"There were other guys that we substituted for," O'Brien said. "Every decision is made in the best interest of the team that we think will ... give us the best chance to win the game."

Hopefully this is a situation all fantasy owners can stay away from. No matter who the starter is, it will be a tough matchup against the Panthers defense.