HOUSTON – The Texans loss to the Cincinnati Bengals could be the last start of the season for quarterback Ryan Mallett, who played most of the game with a pectoral injury.

The Houston Chronicle reported the injury, which will be evaluated further on Monday, could end the season for Mallett just two starts into his first stint as a starter.

Mallett, known for his tremendous arm strength, missed several throws and did not appear comfortable after the first quarter. Mallett and the Texans did not openly discuss the injury after the loss.

“I’ve got to go look at the film to see if I was six inches off with the step or just one of those things,” Mallett said.

First-year head coach Bill O’Brien might face a decision if Mallett is out for long whether to turn to rookie Tom Savage or go back to Ryan Fitzpatrick, who started the first nine games of the season.

Already without running back Arian Foster, the Texans (5-6) amassed just 248 total yards and only 64 on the ground after rushing for 213 yards the previous week in a win at Cleveland. Mallett finished 21 of 45 for 189 yards, posting a miserable 49.2 rating totaling 4.2 yards per attempt.

“Obviously we want to get into a rhythm and move the ball better,” he said. “We have to be better on first and second down. We have to run it better, we have to throw it better, we have to do everything better.”