Tag: colts football

Will Jonathan Taylor play this week? Injury updates for Colts RB

Will Jonathan Taylor be back for the Indianapolis Colts in Week 8 against the Houston Texans?

Jonathan Taylor is back in action. 

If the Houston Texans can’t duplicate their success from Week 1 against the Pro Bowl runner, they’re in for a long afternoon at NRG Stadium. 

As the Texans take on the Indianapolis Colts, both teams are trending in different directions. Houston (5-2) is without its star receiver Nico Collins and several defensive players, including linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair and defensive back Jimmie Ward. 

Indianapolis (4-3) recently announced that defensive tackle DeForest Buckner would come off the injured reserve and make his debut in Week 8 on the road. Receiver Josh Downs is also expected to play after missing several games with a lower-body injury. 

And Taylor? Barring a last-second injury, expect to see him on the field for the first time in three weeks. 

Jonathan Taylor injury update

Taylor suffered an ankle injury in Week 4’s win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Colts coach Shane Steichen never put a timetable on the All-Pro running back’s injury but did mention it would be a “week-to-week” evaluation. 

Taylor practiced for a third consecutive day Friday and was not given a status designation on the week’s final injury report, meaning he’s cleared to play on Sunday in hopes of securing a tie for the AFC South division title. Taylor has been known as a Texans’ tyrant over his tenure since being drafted out of Wisconsin in 2020, especially in recent years.

In Week 18 against the Texans last year, Taylor rushed for 188 yards and scored a touchdown in a 23-19 loss. In 2022, he rushed for 161 yards and a touchdown in the Week 1 opener. 

Taylor still is on pace to rush for over 1,000 yards for the third time in his career. In four active games this season, he’s averaging 87.3 yards per contest with four touchdowns. Taylor also has totaled 11 explosive runs of over 10 yards. 

How long will Jonathan Taylor be out?

Taylor will suit up for the first time since Week 4. He is not expected to miss any more time because of his previous injury. 

Colts RB depth chart

Indianapolis’ run game has been inconsistent this year without Taylor. Tyler Goodson and Trey Sermon have rotated as the top option, but quarterback Anthony Richardson ranks second in rushing yards with 197. 

Goodson totaled 51 yards in games against the Titans and Dolphins and scored a touchdown in Week 7. Sermon averaged 4.5 yards in Sunday’s win over Miami. 

Colts vs. Texans injury report: Latest updates, news for Thursday

Here are the latest updates and news on the Houston Texans injury report ahead of Week 8’s game against the Indianapolis Colts following Thursday’s practice.

Another day, another set of reps for Kamari Lassiter.

The Houston Texans rookie cornerback was once again a limited participant in practice Thursday in preparation for Sunday’s matchup at home against the Indianapolis Colts.

Lassiter, the Texans’ second-round pick out of Georgia, had been dealing with a scapula fracture, a rare football injury involving the back of the shoulder blade suffered during an offensive pass interference infraction against the Buffalo Bills. He’s missed the last two games, but practicing is a promising sign.

Things, however, could be trending down for linebacker Henry To’oTo’o. After returning to practice as a limited participant on Wednesday, the second-year starter returned to the injury report.

He didn’t play last week and might not be cleared after taking a step back.

Linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair (knee) and defensive back Jimmie Ward (groin) missed practice for the fifth consecutive day. According to KPRC2 Sports’ Aaron Wilson, Ward is expected to miss his third consecutive game due to injury.

Rookie Calen Bullock, who totaled his third interception in Week 7, is expected to start opposite Eric Murray.

Al-Shaair, who left in Week 6 during the third quarter, could be a game-time decision. Earlier Wednesday, Houston signed former first-round pick Devin White to the active roster for depth purposes.

Both receivers Robert Woods (foot) and Steven Sims (back) were back running drills during Thursday’s practice. Woods, who was limited, hasn’t played since Week 5’s win over the Buffalo Bills.

Sims, who was a late addition to the injury report last week, should be good to go for the home matchup.

Defensive end Will Anderson Jr. and offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil returned at full capacity and shouldn’t miss any extra time. Reserve cornerback D’Angelo Ross, who started in Lassiter’s place last weekend, was out due to an illness.

Here’s a look at the injury report for the Texans and Colts after Thursday’s practice. With a win on Sunday, the Texans would finish with at least a .500 record in divisional play for 2024.

Houston Texans

Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Game Status
DB Jimmie Ward groin DNP DNP
LB Azeez Al-Shaair knee DNP DNP
WR Steven Sims back DNP FP
WR Robert Woods toe DNP LP
DE Will Anderson Jr. chest LP FP
CB Kamari Lassiter shoulder LP LP
LB Henry To’oTo’o concussion LP DNP
DL Foley Fatukasi shoulder LP LP
CB D’Angelo Ross illness — DNP
OT Laremy Tunsil ankle LP FP

DNP: Did not practice; LP: Limited participation ; FP: Full participation

Indianapolis Colts

Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Game Status
DE Gernard Avery foot DNP DNP
LB Jaylon Carlies fibula DNP DNP
WR Josh Downs toe DNP FP
OL Ryan Kelly calf DNP FP
CB Chris Lammons ankle DNP FP
WR Michael Pittman Jr. back DNP FP
OT Braden Smith knee DNP FP
DL DeForest Buckner ankle LP FP
RB Jonathan Taylor ankle LP FP
WR Ashton Dulin knee FP FP
LB Cameron McGrone elbow FP FP
LB E.J. Speed knee FP FP

DNP: Did not practice; LP: Limited participation ; FP: Full participation

Poll: Who wins Sunday’s Colts-Texans game in Week 8?

Who walks away with a win on Sunday at NRG Stadium between the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts?

The Houston Texans are ready to keep their winning streak alive at home when they return to NRG Stadium this Sunday to face off against the Indianapolis Colts.

Recent history has been kind to Houston in the matchup against the AFC South opponent. Longevity, however, hasn’t. The Colts have won or tied in six of the last 10 matchups dating back to 2019.

The Texans secured a 29-27 victory in Week 1 at Lucas Oil Stadium behind a stellar rushing performance and debut from Joe Mixon. Nico Collins also finished with 117 receiving yards off six catches and set up a pair of scoring drives to Stefon Diggs.

The two teams are trending in opposite directions as October comes to a close. Houston will be without Collins as he mends a hamstring injury. Meanwhile, the Colts will get back Jonathan Taylor and All-Pro defensive lineman DeForest Buckner.

“He’s a good guy in the pass game.” offensive lineman Tytus Howard said of Buckner. “He’s a guy that can get to the quarterback. He’s been getting to the quarterback for a long time in this league. We just got to get up there and be physical with him.”

With a win on Sunday, the Texans would finish at least at .500 in divisional play with three matchups remaining. At 6-2, Houston would keep pace as the No. 2 team in the AFC behind undefeated Kansas City.

A Colts win would not only secure a 2-2 start in division play, but would also create a tie with Houston at 5-3 for the division lead. Indianapolis doesn’t feel like a playoff team yet, but some rosters take weeks to get the footing before attacking.

Is this a trap game for the AFC South favorites? Can Anthony Richardson recreate his first-quarter success from Week 2 of last season and go 2-0 on the road against C.J. Stroud?

Who do you have winning Sunday’s game? Make sure to vote in the poll below.

J.J. Watt believes Texans are equipped for contender expectations

The Houston Texans hype is as big as its ever been but former player J.J. Watt believes C.J. Stroud and DeMeco Ryans can handle expectations

Expectations are high in Houston as the NFL season begins on Sunday in Indianapolis for the reigning AFC South champions. The Texans finished a surprising 10-7 en route to the team’s first playoff appearance since 2019.

DeMeco Ryans’ head coaching debut was a smashing success. His team, led by rookies C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson Jr., captured a wild-card round win over the Cleveland Browns before falling to the top-seeded Baltimore Ravens a week later.

Given the rapid ascension, Houston became one of the top teams discussed in the offseason, with moves such as signing Danielle Hunter and Azeez Al-Shaair and trading for Joe Mixon and Stefon Diggs feeding the media flames.

Every year, there is that one team that receives the extent of offseason hype. In 2022, the Jacksonville Jaguars won six of their final seven games to reach the playoffs, where they came back from down to 27 to beat the Los Angeles Chargers.

Jacksonville elevated from the 27th-best Super Bowl odds in 2022 (+13000) to 12th (+2800) entering 2023. However, the Jaguars sputtered down the stretch, losing five of their last six to miss the postseason.

While quarterback Trevor Lawrence’s ankle injury may have had more effect than the Jaguars increased expectations, the latter can be damaging to teams ill-equipped to handle them.

It’s not something Texans legend J.J. Watt is worried about regarding Houston’s current coach and quarterback combination.

https://twitter.com/HoustonTexans/status/1832068028609016215

“I think C.J. and DeMeco, the demeanor that they have, the way they attack each day and the way that they lead that team, nobody’s better to handle this type of hype and expectation than those guys,” Watt said while appearing on the Pat McAfee Show.

The three-time Defensive Player of the Year played alongside Ryans as a rookie in 2011, witnessing how the two-time Pro Bowl linebacker led a Houston team with legitimate playoff aspirations for the first time in franchise history.

Houston’s 2024 team has even higher expectations after Stroud’s historic rookie season. He became the third quarterback to lead the league in passing yards per game and touchdown-to-interception ratio, joining Tom Brady and Joe Montana.

The Texans acquired Diggs from the Buffalo Bills in a trade centered around the former All-Pro and a second-round pick in 2025 that Houston sent in exchange to form one of the league’s top receiving trios.

Diggs joins Nico Collins, who had a breakout third season that he parlayed into a three-year, $72.75 million contract extension, and Tank Dell, who was on pace to shatter the Texans rookie receiving records before suffering a season-ending leg injury in Week 13 against the Denver Broncos.

“You got to spread it amongst these incredible playmakers on the offensive side of the ball, and it’s going to give defensive coordinators nightmares,” Watt added.

The added talent has everyone thinking more is in store for Stroud in year two, who currently has the second-highest MVP odds at +800 on DraftKings Sportsbook, only behind Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

As a team, the Texans’ Super Bowl odds similarly skyrocketed to +1600, tied for seventh with the Buffalo Bills, from +25000 a year ago. It’s the third-biggest odds move in one year in the Super Bowl era.

https://twitter.com/torygattis/status/1831374593921315191

Only time will tell if the Texans can reach the heights the outsiders have placed on them, yet in the mind of the franchise’s greatest player, expectations won’t be the reason they don’t find success.

Texans focused on 2024 Colts instead of 2023 finale

The Houston Texans are going into the 2024 season opener with the intent of leaving last season’s victory over the Colts in the past.

DeMeco Ryans knows what happened the last time he and the Houston Texans took on the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium.

He remembers how the game ended in triumph, signaling a new era of Texans’ football after three underwhelming campaigns that saw three coaches be fired.

He also isn’t focused on the 2023 version of Indy’s squad. Much like the 23-19 win to claim the division title, that Colts’ roster remains in the past and won’t carry weight for the Texans heading into Week 1’s opener of what looks to be a prominent campaign in 2024.

“Last year was last year,” Ryans said Monday. “We’re fully focused on 2024. We’re a completely different team. They’re a different team as well. So for me, last year has nothing to do with this year going into their place.”

The Texans, who eventually advanced to the divisional round, are a better team than the previous squad that won the division title. C.J. Stroud is a year older and looks poised for a potential MVP run after setting records last fall.

Stroud’s supporting cast could make that happen. He’s already on the same wavelength as newcomer Stefon Diggs and previously built a rapport with both Nico Collins and Tank Dell. The run game should improve with a stable offensive line setting up lanes for former Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon.

But the same goes for Indianapolis, which bested Houston in a Week 2 matchup at NRG Stadium behind a surging start from fellow rookie Anthony Richardson. Drafted No. 4 overall, Richardson set the tone with two touchdowns on back-to-back drives before leaving with a concussion at the end of the first quarter.

Houston didn’t get a chance to take on Richardson in the Week 18 rematch. The former Florida star suffered a season-ending injury in early October, thus leading to Garnder Minshew starting for 11 games.

Even in his little time, Ryans came away impressed with Richardson’s progression.

“He’s a playmaker,” Ryans said. “You have to account for him every single snap. It’s because of his dynamic ability to run the football. He poses a really good challenge for us defensively.”

https://twitter.com/Ihartitz/status/1830978769471045777

In four games, Richardson completed 59.5 percent of his throws, but he also rushed for 136 yards and scored four times with his legs. In the preseason, he threw a touchdown pass against the Cincinnati Bengals. He also threw a pick-six in the first quarter.

The Texans feel comfortable guarding names like Michael Pittman Jr. and second-round pick Adonai Mitchell. With Richardson, however, teams must prepare for the mobile element, too.

“He’s going to make plays,” safety Jimmie Ward said of Richardson. “Just because some of the stuff that he does you don’t really coach, it’s raw talent where a lot of the time he can use his feet. He’s a pretty big boy, too. I’m interested to see how he’s going to attack us. Is he going to slide or not going to slide? I guess I’ll see.

“I feel like he’s a really good player and he’s got a great team, too, behind him.”

Kickoff from Lucas Oil Stadium is scheduled at noon CT.

Colts LB E.J. Speed has ‘bone to pick’ with Texans, C.J. Stroud

E.J. Speed is adding more fuel to the rivalry between the Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans with each podcast appearance this offseason.

For those wondering, the Indianapolis Colts are moving up the list for the Houston Texans’ top rival every time linebacker E.J. Speed utters something on a podcast. 

For those who currently have another team listed as the “golden rival” entering 2024, you might have to make a few switches to the ranking process. 

Speed, who since the Week 18 loss against Houston for the division title, has created a bit of a feud with star quarterback C.J. Stroud. Last month, he said on the Green Light with Chris Long podcast  that he plans to “mess [Stroud] up for the rest of his career.” Stroud responded several weeks later stating that players will talk smack on the mic but then won’t back it up on the field. 

“Where I’m from, we say, ‘Why didn’t you do something when you were mad?’ You were mad right there, do something.

“You could have made hella plays, bro. You could have made plays, dog. You could have shut me up right there, but you didn’t.”

Speed, who has become a villain of sorts in Houston, doused more fire on the heated rivalry Wednesday when he appeared on the Up & Adams Show with Kay Adams, stating that the Colts would be ready for Week 1’s showdown in a highly-anticipated rematch.

“We actually match up very well against the Texans,” Speed said. “One, I’m on the field, let’s get that clear. I’m on the field, and then we’ve got our guys. They made some big moves in the offseason, though. I’ll give them that. But I have a bone to pick with the Texans. They said I didn’t make as many plays, so I have to put the proof in the pudding, huh?”

Speed and Stroud equally provide bulletin board material for each fan base and internally among opposing rosters. In Week 2 last season, Stroud put the NFL on notice with his 384-yard performance.

Too bad it came in a loss, and Speed thinks the beatdown would have been worse if fellow rookie Anthony Richardson never left with a concussion. 

Stroud and the Texans got the last laugh with a game-sealing stop on fourth down to clinch the division title in January, though Speed thinks the season would have been different if Richardson wasn’t limited to four games. 

Stroud doesn’t care to live in the “what if” moments after last season. He’s also said he respects Speed and the rest of the Colts for the talent they’ve acquired to build a contender.

That doesn’t mean he’s backing down. Neither is Speed entering June. 

WATCH: Jonathan Taylor is finally back

The former Badger is finally back on an NFL field

After months of a contract dispute that took until midway through the season to resolve, former Wisconsin Badger running back and current Indianapolis Colts star Jonathan Taylor is finally back at it.

The first half looked pretty familiar for Badger fans, as Taylor sliced through the Saints defense for a few big runs. He only carried the ball one time in the second half, and you have to wonder if the time away was impacting the workload he was allowed to take on in his first game back at it.

Taylor finished with 12 carries for 95 yards, but 11 of those 12 carries came in the first half of the Colts’ loss. Here is a look at vintage Jonathan Taylor back at it:

WATCH: Colts QB Sam Ehlinger throws first NFL touchdown pass

Sam Ehlinger delivered his first NFL touchdown pass on Sunday.

Colts quarterback Sam Ehlinger connected with Michael Pittman for his first career NFL touchdown pass on Sunday. Ehlinger delivered a nice pass on third down for a six-yard score in the third quarter.

Ehlinger came in for the injured Nick Foles at halftime and delivered a solid performance. His first in-game action since his last start in New England back on Nov. 6.

While the game was essentially decided before the half, the former Texas quarterback completed 9-of-14 passes for 60 yards and a touchdown, playing turnover-free football against a tough Giants defense.

With Foles’ injury stats in question, Ehlinger could be in line to start the Colts’ season finale against the Texans next week. The start would mark Ehlinger’s third of the 2022 season. Another good performance would be significant for Ehlinger’s career moving into the offseason.

Contact/Follow us @LonghornsWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas news, notes and opinions.

Sam Ehlinger named the starting QB for the Colts

A quarterback change is taking place in Indianapolis.

A quarterback change is taking place in Indianapolis. The Colts announced on Monday they are turning to second-year quarterback Sam Ehlinger ahead of its matchup against Washington on Sunday.

Ehlinger gets the nod over veteran Matt Ryan who has seen his fair share of struggles this season.

The move should not come as much of a surprise for those keeping up with Ehlinger’s professional career. He enjoyed an excellent preseason and was recently moved ahead of previous backup Nick Foles on the depth chart.

Colts’ head coach Frank Reich is giving the keys to Ehlinger for the rest of the season with hopes he can spark the sluggish offense.

Indianapolis currently sits with a 3-3-1 record, narrowly out of the AFC playoff picture. The former Longhorn has a great opportunity to prove himself as a starting NFL quarterback.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbz52bnpekkafqb player_id=none image=https://longhornswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

Contact/Follow us @LonghornsWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas news, notes and opinions.

Former UGA quarterback Jacob Eason may start for Colts

Former UGA quarterback Jacob Eason may start for Indianapolis Colts following Carson Wentz’s foot injury

[mm-video type=video id=01fc6y1zxafxrhrwc25f playlist_id=01eqbz2y40j067srkf player_id=none image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01fc6y1zxafxrhrwc25f/01fc6y1zxafxrhrwc25f-0e30317b3449b4069d0a51f77cf26eaf.jpg]

Former Georgia Bulldogs and Washington Huskies quarterback Jacob Eason may be in for a larger role this season with the Indianapolis Colts. Eason is starting with the first-team offense following Carson Wentz’s foot injury.

Wentz, who is looking to avoid surgery, is resting and rehabbing his foot at the moment. The Colts received Carson Wentz in a blockbuster trade from the Philadelphia Eagles this offseason. The Indianapolis Colts started Philip Rivers last season, but he retired following their playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills.

Carson Wentz was projected to start for the Colts. Now, the Colts are looking to find a suitable replacement if his rehab does not go well.

Jacob Eason has experience as a starting quarterback in college with Georgia in 2016 and with Washington in 2019. Eason has a powerful arm, but sometimes makes questionable decisions. He does not have much NFL experience.

Eason has the talent to start in the NFL. Will he be ready if Carson Wentz is out?

Fortunately for the Colts, Eason will have much of training camp and the preseason to prepare and get reps. Brett Hundley, Sam Ehlinger and Jalen Morton are Indianapolis’s other options at quarterback. Hundley has the most NFL experience.

Update: Carson Wentz elected to undergo foot surgery, which is expected to sideline him through anywhere between Indianapolis’s regular season opener and Oct. 25 (week seven of NFL season).

[vertical-gallery id=44971]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]