Week 6 Injury Report: Indianapolis Colts Vs. Houston Texans

The Houston Texans played their hearts out last week against the longstanding interstate rival Dallas Cowboys.  Despite some miscues that happened on both ends of the ball, the Texans found themselves within striking distance of becoming the victor.

Had those not happened, the conversation about how the team performed this past Sunday’s 20-17 overtime loss would’ve been a lot different.

Nonetheless, its on to the next one and the Texans now transition from sparring against an interstate rival to a division rival.

The Indianapolis Colts are now on deck on both will battle against each other on a national stage at NRG Stadium tonight.

I’m concerned that this quick turnaround will have some affect on the team’s performance.  I’m hoping it will be minimal but I understand.

Let’s hope for the best as the team works to position themselves to stay at the top of the AFC South.

There are a few maladies to pay attention to for tonight.

Take a look:

For the Houston Texans, here are the players that are listed on the injury report:

• RB Alfred Blue, Knee

• CB A.J. Bouye, Groin

• G Brandon Brooks, Ankle

• OLB Jadeveon Clowney, Knee

• ILB Brian Cushing, Knee

• ILB Akeem Dent, Shoulder

• QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, Calf

• RB Arian Foster, Hamstring

• DE Tim Jamison, Groin

• WR Andre Johnson, Ankle

• WR Damaris Johnson, Foot

• G Ben Jones, Knee

• CB Johnathan Joseph, Knee

• P Shane Lechler, Left Hip

• CB Darryl Morris, Ankle

• T Derek Newton, Ankle

• NT Ryan Pickett, Knee

• S Eddie Pleasant, Ankle

• S D.J. Swearinger, Elbow

• ILB Jeff Tarpinian, Thigh

• DE J.J. Watt, Thigh

Clowney and Morris have been ruled out for tonight’s match up.

The Texans continue to be mum about Clowney’s time table for return.  It’s better that they bring him along just about right and not rushed so that he does not risk re-injuring himself.  The four-to-six week estimate still continues to ring true for our star rookie outside linebacker.

A knee injury definitely affects a player’s explosiveness and we all know just how much of that he has shown just based off of the games we’ve seen him play so far.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported just a few days ago that his target date is near:

If that’s the case, that would be right at the back end of the window of the recovery time needed for him to heal from his injury.  He has been out four weeks so far.  I’m extremely optimistic that he will return but it all depends on how his recovery.

O’Brien was vague when asked by the media on the specifics of the procedure to not let on exactly how long he’d be out. I’m extremely optimistic that he’ll be back for Monday Night Football against the Pittsburgh Steelers but we will have to wait, see and keep our fingers crossed.

Morris has been ailing from an ankle injury since Week 4 against the Bills.  Despite that, he was able to get the game-winning pick off EJ Manuel helping solidify himself a spot on the roster even more.  

CSN Houston’s James Palmer reported earlier this week that he’d likely be unable to go:

He has not practiced all week given even further indication that he’s not quite ready yet. His skill set is definitely needed in the team’s dinged-up secondary.

Andre Johnson has been ruled as questionable.

Johnson was questionable last week and was still able to play. Not only that, but he caught five balls for 58 yards with a 20-yard catch to credit.

I don’t look too much into that he hasn’t practiced all week — that was just rest time for his ankle in a short week. He’s one of the greatest wide receivers in this current era and a shoo-in to be a future Hall of Famer.  He’ll be able to turn it on just like a light switch under the bright lights.

Palmer also reported his likely availability to which I agree:

Blue, Bouye, Brooks, Cushing, Dent, Fitzpatrick, Foster, Jamison, Damaris Johnson, Jones, Joseph, Lechler, Newton, Pickett, Pleasant, Swearinger, Tarpinian and Watt are good to go and are probable.

And here’s the injury report for the Indianapolis Colts:

• CB Darius Butler, Ankle

• LB Jerrell Freeman, Hamstring

• G Jack Mewhort, Ankle

• DT Arthur Jones, Ankle

• G Hugh Thornton, Back

• LB Bjoern Werner, Ankle

Butler, Mewhort, Jones, Thornton have been ruled out for tonight. Rookie guard Mewhort and Thornton are the first lines of the Colts’ protection for Andrew Luck.  The Texans can certainly take advantage of this weakness.

The Indianapolis Star’s Zak Keefer reports on both player’s status:

Lance Louis is the primary back up at the guard position and they also have Khaled Holmes, Joe Reitz and A.Q. Shipley for the additional help that is needed.

Butler is second on the depth chart behind Vontae Davis so absence is not too much of a hit to their secondary.  However, Butler is a Top 5 tackler for the Colts with his rank being fourth with 16 tackles on the season.

Arthur Jones is the starting defensive tackle so Zach Kerr is the next man up.

Freeman has been listed as questionable.  He is a starting inside linebacker that complements their defense well but he has been limited all week in practice so it remains to be seen if he makes an appearance.  The Texans will then need to exploit the void of his presence if he does not play.

WTHR Indianapolis’ Jason Spells even confirmed during their match up against the Ravens last week how much a difference he makes when in the game.  The Colts went on to win 20-13:

Werner is healthy enough and is probable to play.

And there you have it — a few dents and dings for both teams but both are mostly healthy.

The kickoff of the Colts vs. Texans divisional match up will commence at 7:25 p.m. CDT.  The game will be televised on CBS/NFL Network and will be broadcast on 610 SportsRadio AM/100.3 (KILT).

Go Texans!