The Indianapolis Colts face the Houston Texans for the top spot in the AFC South tonight. The short week means that a number of players didn’t get the rest and rehab they sorely need.
Linebacker Jerrell Freeman returned to the field last week, but appeared to re-injure his hamstring against the Ravens. He played the entire game but without a full week of rest he is listed as questionable for tonight’s game.
Freeman allows the Colts to be much more versatile on defense and losing him for another game would be a tough loss. Hamstring issues are tricky because the muscle is so large and is used on literally every single move you would make on a football field.
The Colts have four players ruled out against Houston.
Starting guards Jack Mewhort (ankle) and Hugh Thornton (back) are both sidelined. It was possible that they could have played had this game been on Sunday.
Defensive tackle Arthur Jones is still recovering from a brutal ankle sprain suffered in Week Two. Word is that he needs a few more weeks, which isn’t surprising considering he had to be carted off the field.
Third string cornerback Darius Butler suffered a minor ankle sprain against the Ravens and won’t play on Thursday.
Bjoern Werner didn’t practice on Monday but was a full go on Tuesday and Wednesday despite a tweaked ankle. He is listed as probable.
Reggie Wayne and T.Y. Hilton both showed up on the injury report but were merely give days off for rest. It is curious that only Wayne practiced on Wednesday and Hilton didn’t see reps all week. Nothing indicates Hilton has an injury, or even illness, and he should play tonight.
Ravens Injury Report
OUT
OLB Jadeveon Clowney (DNP) Knee
CB Darryl Morris (DNP) Ankle
QUESTIONABLE
WR Andre Johnson (DNP) Ankle
PROBABLE
RB Alfred Blue (Full) Knee
CB A.J. Bouye (Full) Groin
G Brandon Brooks (Full) Ankle
ILB Brian Cushing (DNP) Knee
ILB Akeem Dent (Full) Shoulder
QB Ryan Fitzpatrick (Full) Calf
RB Arian Foster (Full) Hamstring
DE Tim Jamison (Full) Groin
WR Damaris Johnson (Full) Foot
G Ben Jones (Full) Knee
CB Johnathan Joseph (Limited) Knee
P Shane Lechler (Full) L. Hip
T Derek Newton (Full) Ankle
NT Ryan Pickett (Full) Knee
S Eddie Pleasant (Full) Ankle
S D.J. Swearinger (Full) Elbow
ILB Jeff Tarpinian (Full) Thigh
DE J.J. Watt (Full) Thigh
If Johnson can’t go, that will be a huge boon to the defense. Its likely that he will play since it is the Colts but it might be in a limited capacity. He did not practice all week.
Clowney is still out and with the Colts depleted offensive line, that is extremely good news.
This bulky list from the Texans is what happens when you have a short week to prepare for an opponent and don’t have those two days of rest to start the normal week.