Houston Texans to start QB Ryan Mallett vs. Carolina Panthers

— -- The Houston Texans are planning to start quarterback Ryan Mallett over Brian Hoyer against the Carolina Panthers in Week 2, according to multiple media reports Wednesday.

Bill O'Brien and the Texans coaching staff have not publicly named a starter, instead saying they will wait until Sunday to announce the decision.

Hoyer started in Houston's season-opening loss to the Kansas City Chiefs but was benched in the fourth quarter.

The NFL Network first reported that Mallett would start at Carolina.