Houston Texans starting quarterback Brian Hoyer suffered another concussion after a tough outing in their 27–6 defeat to the defending National Football League (NFL) champions New England Patriots last Sunday. 

According to ESPN, Hoyer was evaluated during the fourth quarter of the game and was not with the team in the locker room following the defeat, and was likely still in the training room. 

Hoyer finished the game completing 11 of 22 passes for 155 yards and was sacked five times, which may have led to the concussion, his second in less than a month. 

In the Texans' 10–6 Week 10 win over the Cincinnati Bengals last Nov. 13, Hoyer also suffered a concussion which, according to ESPN, gave him memory loss as he also forgot all their plays. 

NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport tweeted last Monday, "#Texans QB Brian Hoyer did suffer another concussion last night, source said. He goes in the protocol, the team prepares TJ Yates to start."

Hoyer began the 2015 season as Houston's original starting quarterback. He then lost the job but eventually regained it and has since helped the team to a 6–7 record for the second spot in the American Football Conference (AFC) South. 

In 10 games played this season which include eight starting stints, the 30-year-old veteran passer has 199 completions for 2,357 yards and already a career-best 18 touchdowns, also throwing six interceptions. 

As Hoyer undergoes the NFL's concussion protocol program, backup quarterback T.J. Yates will likely be taking over the starting duties in his absence. 

In three appearances this season, Yates, who has been the Texans' backup since getting drafted in 2011, has 22 completions for 302 yards and three touchdowns. 

Likely without Hoyer, the Texans will have the chance to seal the top spot in the AFC South when they take on division rivals the Indianapolis Colts this Sunday for Week 15 action. 

The Texans are aiming to reach the postseason this time around since they missed it in the past two years.