SOURCES: MALLETT TO START OVER HOYER

Sources are reporting that Ryan Mallett has been told that he will be the Houston Texans' starting quarterback Sunday against the Carolina Panthers.

Mallett gets the starting nod over Brian Hoyer, who started Houston's season-opening loss to Kansas City but was benched in the fourth quarter.

The NFL Network reported Wednesday that Texans’ coach Bill O’Brien is planning to go with Mallett over Hoyer.

O'Brien has remained quiet on the matter, only saying that he knows who will start against Carolina but that his decision won't be made public until just before kickoff Sunday.

Hoyer won the starting job in training camp, but struggled in Sunday's loss to the Chiefs, completing 18-of-36 passes while committing two turnovers.

Mallett played well in relief of Hoyer, orchestrating two scoring drives and prompting O'Brien to acknowledge after the game that he was uncertain who would start under center in Week 2.

Sunday's game at Carolina can be heard live on KWHI AM-1280.