Climbing the Texans' depth chart still a challenge for former Pitt quarterback Tom Savage

Now recovered from a shoulder injury that sidelined him last year, former Pitt quarterback and now NFLer Tom Savage is ready to get back on the field this year with the Houston Texans. Savage's biggest challenge to finding playing time isn't based on his health, though - it's trying to surpass the quarterbacks ahead of him on the depth chart.

Savage actually talked earlier this year about winning the starting job - but then the Texans brought in Brock Osweiler, signing him to a four-year $72 million deal. Right now he's the clear No. 1 quarterback for the foreseeable future barring any sort of an injury or major drop off in play. Savage's roadblock doesn't end there, either. Houston re-signed backup Brandon Weeden, and while Savage could have a chance to surpass him, Weeden looks like the No. 2 guy right now.

Neither guy is a slam dunk Hall of Famer just yet, but both are solidly ahead of Savage in terms of experience. Osweiler started some games in Denver last year in place of Peyton Manning and after being claimed off of waivers from the Cowboys late last year, Weeden played pretty well in some spot duty for Houston on top of his years with the Cleveland Browns. Again, neither of these players have even one big season to their name, but both are certainly above Savage on the food chain when it comes to experience.

All Savage can do at this point is come in and play well in the practices and in the preseason, where he'll get some opportunities. Outside of that, I'm not sure he'll have a lot of time to impress this year - his third in the NFL.

Savage may be ready to play this year, but unless either of the top two options falter or the Texans suffer an injury at quarterback, he may not see much time on the field.

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