Despite suffering shoulder injury against the Tennessee Titans during the regular season finale, Houston Texans quarterback T.J. Yates is expected to start against the Cincinnati Bengals this Saturday, according to John McClain of the Houston Chronicle. Yates left the game in the first quarter after a hard hit separated his left shoulder -- non-throwing arm. Head coach Gary Kubiak choose not to put him back in the game, though he could have if he deemed it necessary.

Yates started the final five games this season, completing 61.2% of his passes with a passer rating of 80.7. Though Yates has only three touchdowns this year, two were against the Bengals, the only team he generated 300 yards passing against (117 yards in the fourth quarter alone).

Jake Delhomme, Houston's backup quarterback, replaced Yates last weekend, completing 64.3% of his passes for 211 yards passing and a touchdown.

The Bengals will kickoff this Saturday against the Houston Texans at 4:30 p.m. on NBC.