The Indianapolis Colts will play the Houston Texans on Sunday in a Week 3 game that could change the fortunes of both franchises in 2026. Both teams are 0-2. Houston got off to a slow start last season, too, while Indy began 7-1.
Since the game will be held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, head coach Shane Steichen's team should have the advantage. Alec Pierce will be out, but quarterback Daniel Jones and running back Jonathan Taylor are not.
Both teams need a win. Unless there is a tie, one team will have renewed hope for how the season could unfold. Below is what you need to know.
How to watch the Indianapolis Colts vs. the Houston Texans in Week 3
The broadcast of the game, which features two 0-2 teams, of course, will be limited to the Indianapolis area and most of southern Texas. If you live outside of those areas, you will likely need a subscription to NFL Sunday Ticket to see the action.
CBS is the carrier for the game, and that is Channel 4 in Indianapolis (WTTV). The play-by-play will be done by Tom McCarthy, Robert Turbin will provide the analysis, and Tiffany Blackmon will report from the sidelines. You can also see the game in the Indy area on the official Colts app and on Colts.com.
If you want to only listen to the game, you can do so with an NFL+ subscription, or in the Indianapolis area on 93.5/107.5 The Fan and 97.1 HANK. Matt Taylor will do the play-by-play, Charles Arbuckle will fill in with analysis, and Larra Overton will tell you information from the sidelines.
Kickoff is set for 1 pm ET, and the game will be held at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Colts vs. Texans injury updates in Week 3
The Colts will be missing wide receiver Alec Pierce, of course, but he won't be listed as "out" for the game because he has now been placed on injured reserve. He will miss at least the next four games after re-injuring or aggravating the same ankle or heel he had surgery on in March.
Wide receiver and special-teamer Ashton Dulin will also miss the game. He has his own ankle injury. Cornerback Charvarius Ward is questionable with a groin injury, though he is expected to play.
For the Houston Texans, wide receiver Nico Collins, who has torched the Colts in recent seasons, will miss the game with a hamstring injury. He is just one of five Texans ruled out. Edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney (knee), linebacker Jake Hummel (groin), guard Ed Ingram (groin), and safety M.J. Stewart (knee) are also out. Offensive tackle Trent Brown (knee and wrist) is questionable.
Storylines to watch for Colts in Week 3
Both teams began 0-2, and going 0-3 and losing their first AFC South game would be far from ideal. This is especially true for Indianapolis who is playing at home. For a team that needs to make the playoffs for head coach Shane Steichen and general manager Chris Ballard to likely keep their jobs, beginning the season winless, with two of the losses coming at home is brutal.
The teams are struggling with injuries currently, too. Without the explosive ability of Pierce, Indy's offense could be limited and allow Houston's excellent defense to control the line of scrimmage.
Without Collins, though, maybe Indianapolis's defense can finally find success and help the offense get the team's first victory of the season. If there was ever a must-win in Week 3 for the Colts, Sunday's game is it.
What might happen between the Colts and the Texans
Making a prediction about this game is rather foolish. Houston has won five straight one-score games against Indianapolis, but is missing key talent. The Colts' defense has been putrid, but at some point has the talent to be better. Anything can happen in this game.
That means something unexpected probably will. The guess here is that Josh Downs has a huge game in Week 3, has 10 catches for 165 yards and two touchdowns. Indianapolis will score on the first drive, find themselves down early in the second half, but win a close game with a late touchdown in the fourth quarter. 1-2 will never feel as good as it does after Sunday's game.
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