The Indianapolis Colts (3-2) will face off against the Houston Texans (3-2) in a divisional matchup on Thursday Night Football. The Colts will be without two starters on the offensive line while the Texans aren't sure if wide receiver Andre Johnson will play.
Indianapolis will head into Houston with a short injury report, but a majority of the players listed on it will be unavailable for tonight. Offensive guards Jack Mewhort (ankle) and Hugh Thornton (back), defensive tackle Arthur Jones (ankle) and cornerback Darius Butler (ankle) will be out for tonight's matchup. Mewhort, Thornton and Jones are starters and Butler is the team's slot cornerback, which is likely to affect the team's performance on both sides of the ball.
Colts' middle linebacker Jerrell Freeman missed the past three games with a hamstring injury and he'll be questionable for tonight. He was a limited participant in practice all week. Linebacker Bjoern Wener, who injured his ankle last week against the Baltimore Ravens, fully participated in practice on Tuesday and Wednesday after sitting out on Monday. He's listed as probable and is expected to start after recording six tackles and two sacks against the Ravens on Sunday.
As for Houston, their injury report is much longer, but most of those listed are probable for tonight's game. They'll be missing linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (knee) and third-string cornerback Darryl Morris (ankle), and wide receiver Andre Johnson (ankle) is listed as questionable after not participating in practice all week. If Johnson can't play, it'll be another huge hit to a Texans offense that hasn't been so great this season. Running back Arian Foster already missed one game and was visibly not at full strength two weeks ago when he carried the ball eight times for six yards, but returned last week to give a strong performance against the Cowboys. He's listed as probable for tonight.
Other starters on the Texans' injury report include defensive end J.J Watt (thigh), cornerback Jonathan Joseph (knee), safety D.J. Swearinger (elbow), nose tackle Ryan Pickett (knee), linebacker Brian Cushing (knee), punter Shane Lechler (hip), quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (calf), guard Ben Jones (knee), guard Brandon Brooks (ankle) and right tackle Derek Newton (ankle). They're all listed as probable and should get the start as well.
Tune into CBS tonight at 8:00 p.m. for coverage of Thursday Night Football.
