One would figure the least of the Houston Texans' worries in 2024 is the passing game.
Yet last week, the inability to pass or protect quarterback C.J. Stroud was the major reason that Houston lost at Green Bay. Stroud threw for just 86 yards, which most weeks for him is a good quarter, and absorbed four sacks in a 24-22 setback.
The Texans will look to fix those issues Sunday when they host the Indianapolis Colts in an AFC South showdown. With Jacksonville struggling at 2-5 and Tennessee renting the basement at 1-5, Houston (5-2) has a chance to take complete control of the division if it defeats Indianapolis (4-3) for the second time this season.
But before the Texans can earn that right, second-year coach DeMeco Ryans knows Stroud, the offensive line and his receivers must bounce back.
"Of course, protection. Also, the routes. We had some plays. We dropped a pass. We dropped a touchdown pass," Ryans said. "Everything is on the table."
Although last week's performance represented a career low total, Stroud still is hitting 66.4 percent of his passes for 1,663 yards and 10 touchdowns with four interceptions. Stefon Diggs has 42 catches to lead the team, but Houston has to play without Nico Collins (club-best 567 yards in five games), who remains on injured reserve with a hamstring problem.
The absence of Collins has to thrill the Colts, a team he's carved up recently. In a season-opening 29-27 victory last month in Indianapolis, Collins bagged six catches for 117 yards, taking advantage of the attention lavished on Diggs.
While the Texans try to fix their aerial attack, the Colts appear to be trending in the right direction in the standings and the injury report. Not only have they won consecutive games, including last week's 16-10 decision over Miami, but it appears they might get running back Jonathan Taylor (ankle) back after a three-game absence.
Taylor practiced Wednesday, the first time he's been able to make that claim since going on the shelf. Even though it was in a limited realm, it's a development that Colts coach Shane Steichen regards as a good sign.
"It'll be huge," Steichen said of Taylor's potential return. "Getting J.T. back in the fold will be big. We'll see how the week goes, but we feel really good about it."
Taylor compiled 349 yards on 72 carries in the first four games, going over 100 yards twice. In contrast, his backups, Tyler Goodson and Trey Sermon, have combined for 255 yards on 72 attempts, a fair indication of how much the offense needs Taylor.
Indianapolis also needs more production from the passing game. In his return from an oblique injury last week, Anthony Richardson hit just 10 of 24 attempts for 129 yards, the second straight week the Colts have been held under 200 yards in the air. Michael Pittman has 28 catches for 336 yards despite battling a back injury that's kept him out of practice at times recently.
Indianapolis defensive tackle DeForest Buckner (ankle) was limited in practice on Wednesday. Pittman, offensive tackle Braden Smith (knee), center Ryan Kelly (calf), cornerback Chris Lammons (ankle), wide receiver Josh Downs (groin, toe), linebacker Jaylon Carlies (fibula, shoulder) and defensive end Genard Avery (foot) did not participate in the session, however.
For the Texans, wide receivers Robert Woods (foot) and Steven Sims (back) and safety Jimmie Ward (groin) did not participate in Wednesday's practice.
