The Indianapolis Colts are likely to have Matt Hasselbeck on the field Sunday, as the backup quarterback is listed as probable after suffering a rib injury, according to NFL reporter Kevin Patra. The Colts aren't the only team to get good news today, as the Carolina Panthers listed star tight end Greg Olsen as probable after suffering a knee injury last week against the Atlanta Falcons, according to Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk.
Indianapolis has a critical game against the Houston Texans Sunday, and it looks to be a match-up of backup quarterbacks, as Texans starting quarterback Brian Hoyer has already been ruled out. The Colts and Texans are both currently tied at 6-7, and the winner of Sunday's game will have an inside track for the playoffs. Hasselbeck is 4-2 as the Colts starter this season, but has lost two straight and will look to turn it around Sunday.
"Really good. Very, very encouraged," said head coach Chuck Pagano about Hasselbeck, via Colts' reporter Kevin Bowen. "He had an excellent day yesterday. He's going to play really, really good." Hasselbeck has thrown for 1,444 yards with eight touchdowns to four interceptions on the year. The Colts backup quarterback faces arguably his toughest challenge yet against the Texans defensive front and 2014 NFL defensive MVP J.J. Watt.
While the Colts and Texans are fighting for their playoff lives, the Carolina Panthers are looking to keep their undefeated streak going and pick up their 14th win of the season against the Giants. Panthers star running back Jonathan Stewart has already been ruled out with a sprained foot, but Carolina is expected to have the 14th leading receiver in the NFL in Olsen Sunday.
Olsen is quarterback Cam Newton's top target, and has caught a team-high 65 passes for 969 yards with six touchdowns. The Giants pass defense ranks dead last in the NFL in terms of yards allowed per game, and expect head coach Ron Rivera to try and exploit holes in New York's secondary Sunday. The Giants are currently fighting to make the playoffs in a weak NFC East, and will look to heavily guard Olsen as they know he can present a match-up nightmare for opposing defenses.
