Oakland Raiders coach Jack Del Rio expressed confidence in unproven rookie Connor Cook heading into an AFC wild-card playoff game against the Texans at NRG Stadium.
Cook will make his first NFL start Saturday. He’s the first rookie quarterback in NFL history to make his first NFL start in the postseason.
He’ll square off with the Texans’ top-ranked defense.
“We trust him to go out there and lead us,” Del Rio said during a conference call with Houston reporters.
Forced into action with starter Derek Carr and backup Matt McGloin out with injuries, Cook is a fourth-round draft pick from Michigan State who threw a touchdown pass in his first NFL action.