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Case Keenum out this week, Matt Schaub is back for Texans

Alex Smith, Matt Schaub

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) pats the chest of injured Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub (8) following an NFL football game at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Oct. 20, 2013. The Chiefs defeated the Texans 17-16. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

AP

‘Tis the season to air out your backup quarterbacks for games that don’t mean anything to you.

Texans interim coach Wade Phillips told reporters that Case Keenum would be out this week because of a torn ligament in the thumb of his throwing hand, and that whipping boy/ostensible reason Gary Kubiak was fired Matt Schaub would get the start against the Broncos.

While Phillips knows that’s not going to be a popular move with a fan base that’s watched 12 straight losses, but he also doesn’t have much of a choice. He said, via Tania Ganguli of ESPN.com that “I know our real fans” will cheer Schaub, who has had a rough year “like all of us.”

If nothing else, it will be a nice going-away party for Schaub, who is expected to be released this offseason as the Texans clean house. The Texans finish on the road at the Titans next week.