[jwplayer 6Q40ShvH-ThvAeFxT]
Injuries have been the main theme for the Indianapolis Colts as they prepare on a short week for the divisional matchup against the Houston Texans on Thursday night. The status of wide receiver T.Y. Hilton has garnered the most attention.
That’s not surprising, though. Given his history in torching the Texans and his MVP-caliber impact on the Colts offense, Hilton’s status will be closely monitored as the short week progresses.
While he has seemingly been making progress, the 30-year-old wide receiver still has boxes to check before he gets on the field.
“If I check all the boxes – from me (and) how I feel, the doctors, the trainers and Frank (Reich) and Chris (Ballard) have the last say so. So if I check all the boxes then I’ll go out there,” Hilton told reporters Tuesday. “It’s a couple more. It’s about two more. The last two will be the say so.”
Those final two boxes will depend on how he feels physically with the injury in addition to the thoughts of the medical staff and head coach Frank Reich and Chris Ballard.
T.Y. Hilton asked if he’ll play: “If I check all the boxes”
Boxes are how he feels, what doctors and trainers say, Frank Reich, Chris Ballard
— Joel A. Erickson (@JoelAErickson) November 19, 2019
Hilton’s history against the Texans is well-documented. The Ghost has had more success against Houston than he has against any other team in the NFL, and it’s not really close.
He’s played 15 games in his career against the Texans. The gaudy numbers include 82 receptions on 133 targets for 1,519 yards and 10 touchdowns. Those are incredible numbers to have against a single team.
He’s even had success on the road. In eight games, Hilton has 46 catches for 1,018 yards, seven touchdowns and 22.1 yards per reception.
For what it’s worth, Hilton hasn’t practiced this week during the team’s walkthroughs. Though the veteran knows his body and the fact that he doesn’t necessarily need to practice in order to be cleared to play.
“I don’t need practice. It’s just how my body feels. When I feel good and all the boxes are checked then I’ll go,” Hilton said. “If three of the four boxes are checked then I’m not playing. All four have to be checked for me to play.”
The injury designations will come out Wednesday, which will give us a better idea of his status. With all the injuries amounting on the Colts’ sideline, there are high hopes Hilton can play against the team that he’s found the most success against.