Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Williams was a big part of the club’s 33-13 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday afternoon at Lucas Oil Stadium, and the Houston Texans expect Williams to be a big contributor Thursday night.
Williams posted 116 yards on 13 carries and caught a 31-yard pass as part of his big day against the Jaguars. The Texans know they have to find a way to stop Williams, especially since he will the Colts’ lead back now that Marlon Mack is out with a hand injury.
“He did a great job last week,” defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel told reporters Tuesday. “I mean, he really did. He runs hard. I think he’ll be energized and he’ll run hard Thursday night. So, we’re going to have to tackle him and if we tackle him, then that’ll give us the best chance.”
The Texans run defense gives up 4.7 yards per carry, tied with the Miami Dolphins and the San Francisco 49ers for the seventh-most in the NFL. While they have given up just 1,021 yards, the 12th-fewest overall, and 50 first downs, tied with Seattle for eighth-fewest, the Colts run game has been a challenge for everyone through 10 games. Indianapolis produces 141.1 rushing yards per game, the fourth-best in the NFL, and is tied with Minnesota and Dallas for the seventh-best yards per carry at 4.7.
“Mack is a pretty good runner and has good numbers,” Crennel said. “Now, he’s banged up so the next man up, and Williams is the next man up.”
In Week 7’s matchup between the Colts and Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium, Mack had 18 carries for 44 yards. Quarterback Jacoby Brissett was the driving force behind the Colts’ offense with four touchdown passes and 326 yards passing. A good run game could only help Brissett’s ability to pick apart the Texans’ defense if Williams has a big game.