Houston Texans Vs. Indy Colts: Week 5 Injury Report

ByBrian K. Patterson|Oct 8, 2015, 7:00 AM EDT

As both the Houston Texans and the Indianapolis Colts take the field, here’s a few injuries that you need to know about:

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

SLonnie Ballentine, Knee

TDuane Brown, Hand

ILBMax Bullough, Shoulder

OLBJadeveon Clowney, Shoulder/Knee

ILBBrian Cushing, Foot

SQuintin Demps, Hamstring

ILBAkeem Dent, Hamstring

RBArian Foster, Groin

RBJonathan Grimes, Hamstring

CBJohnathan Joseph, Hip

QBRyan Mallett, Chest

OLBWhitney Mercilus, Thigh

TDerek Newton, Ankle

SEddie Pleasant, Thigh

RBChris Polk, Knee

WRCecil ShortsIII, Shoulder

GXavier Su’a-Filo, Calf

WRNate Washington, Hamstring

NTVince Wilfork, Ankle

Demps, Dent, Grimes, Shorts and Washington have been ruled OUT. Ballentine, Mercilus and Polk are listed as questionable. Brown, Bullough, Clowney, Cushing, Foster, Joseph, Mallett, Newton, Pleasant, Su’a-Filo and Wilfork are good to go and are probable for Thursday.

Houston Texans’ Tidbits

Quintin Demps: Demps suffered a hamstring injury during Sunday’s meltdown against the Falcons. Because of the short week, rest is the best cure and the Texans have decided to side with that particular option. Let’s hope for the best because he’s one of the few bright spots on the secondary/special teams unit. RookieKeith Mumpherywill be elevated to a larger role as he will likely take over the kick/punt returning duties as Shorts will be out as well. Demps has not practiced at all this week and currently has 19 tackes, 0.5 sacks and one interception on the season.

Whitney Mercilus: Mercilus injured his thigh in hot pursuit ofMatt Ryanagainst the Falcons. Unfortunately, he didn’t quite make it and he tumbled to the turf grimacing in pain. He did walk off the field on his own power but had a slight limp. Mercilus did practice this week albeit limited — if you want to call riding the exercise bikes practice — but it’s quite possible that he may play against the Colts. My best guess is that he won’t as he can rest up for Jacksonville in the next week and half.Kourtnei Brownis ready and open for business after being cut before the season and brought back in after a short spell with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Brown knows the system and I’m sure he’s feasting for an opportunity to redeem himself from a not-so-stellar end to his preseason campaign. Expect to Brown to get a lot of playing time if Mercilus is not a go.

Cecil Shorts: It was tough to see Shorts sustain his injury on the last play of the game resulting in a defensive touchdown by Falcons’ linebacker Nate Stupar. He got caught with his pants down on a bubble screen resulting him crushing to the ground by the force of the Falcons’ front line, falling awkwardly on his left shoulder causing it to dislocate. It’s tough to determine when Shorts would return buthe has indicated that he’s working to return as soon as possibleas he did not practice this week. Expect rookieChandler Worthyto get a lot of time in his stead while he heals.

Nate Washington: Washington injured his hamstring in the first half against the Falcons causing him to limp off the field, grabbing the back of his leg. He didn’t practice this week and it’s tough to determine when he’ll return back to field. I’m hoping it’s a week or two as this team is seriously lacking depth at what was quite a deep position coming into the season as far as talent. The trio of Jaelen Strong — who’s expected to be activated — along with Mumphery and Worthy will do their utmost in filling the void. So keep your eyes out — a huge chunk of our passing, kick/returning game will be put on the shoulders of three rookies.

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

SMike Adams, Neck

TEDwayne Allen, Ankle

DTHenry Anderson, Foot

CBVontae Davis, Foot

LBJerrell Freeman, Groin

RBFrank Gore, Foot

QBMatt Hasselbeck, Illness

DEKendall Langford, Back

QBAndrew Luck, Right Shoulder

CBGreg Toler, Neck

RBTyler Varga, Concussion

LBBjoern Werner, Hamstring

Freeman, Varga and Werner have been ruled OUT. Adams, Anderson, Davis, Hasselbeck and Luck are listed as questionable. Allen, Gore, Langford and Toler will be probable for Thursday.