After playing college football for the North Carolina Tar Heels, Yates was selected by the Houston Texans in the fifth round of the 2011 NFL draft.

Yates returned back to football in 2005, where he played quarterback and punter, earning Atlanta Metro First-Team All-Area honors.

During his time in Chapel Hill, Yates was a member of the Alpha Tau chapter of the Sigma Chi fraternity.

He threw two touchdowns and one interception and helped lead the Texans to their tenth win, clinching a playoff spot for the first time in franchise history.

[21][22] The Texans eventually lost to the Baltimore Ravens in the Divisional Round by a score of 20–13 after Yates completed 17 of 35 passes for 185 yards but also three interceptions and no touchdowns for a quarterback rating of 28.8.

[23] Yates began the 2012 season second on the depth chart, behind quarterback Matt Schaub, but ahead of John Beck and undrafted rookie Case Keenum.

He did not see much playing time in the 2012 season, finishing 4-of-10 for 38 yards and an interception while having one rushing touchdown, which occurred against the New England Patriots in a 42–14 loss.

[29] On September 18, 2014, when the Falcons built a 49–0 lead against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Yates had his only playing time of the season, throwing 3-of-4 for 64 yards and one interception.

Head coach Bill O'Brien said that Yates would be the backup to Tom Savage for the November 5 game against the Indianapolis Colts.

[46] On December 10 against the San Francisco 49ers, Yates entered the game late in the second quarter after Savage suffered a concussion.

[51] In the regular season finale, in the second divisional game against the Indianapolis Colts, he finished with 137 passing yards and an interception in the 22–13 loss.