BLUE 1,026 Posted October 8, 2015 (edited) By JEFF MEZYDLO STATS Senior Writer (AP) -- Andrew Luck could be ready to return and help the Indianapolis Colts continue their success against the rest of the AFC South. However, there's no guarantee the star quarterback will play when the visiting Colts try for a 16th consecutive victory within the division Thursday night against the Houston Texans. Coach Chuck Pagano said Luck "looked good" throwing passes at practice Tuesday and increased his workload, but remains uncertain. He continues to recover from an injured right shoulder that forced him to miss his first NFL game last Sunday, a 16-13 overtime victory over Jacksonville. Backup Matt Hasselbeck, 30 of 47 for 282 yards with a touchdown against the Jaguars, didn't practice Tuesday because he is sick. "I'm going to get myself ready to play. I don't expect to play, but I will be ready to play in case I'm needed," the 40-year-old Hasselbeck told the Colts' official website. "This is (Luck's) team." Coach Chuck Pagano has been pleased with Luck's progress. "He's moving in the right direction, trending in the right direction so he's a lot better than he was Saturday," Pagano said. Luck has made the trip to Houston, and said Tuesday he's preparing to start. The team re-signed quarterback Josh Johnson as insurance Wednesday. The Colts' 15-game winning streak against South opponents began after Luck lost the first start in his hometown of Houston 29-17 on Dec. 16, 2012. He's thrown 14 touchdowns and three interceptions while going 5-1 against the Texans (1-3). However, Indianapolis has beaten Tennessee and Jacksonville by a combined five points this season and Luck has thrown five TDs and seven picks while being sacked five times in three starts. Though Hasselbeck proved serviceable, he was sacked three times Sunday. The Colts also were held to a season-low 60 rushing yards, though Frank Gore totaled 22 of his 53 on his final carry to help set up Adam Vinatieri's 27-yard winning field goal. "We're fortunate," said Pagano, whose team is tied for 26th with 18.0 points per game. "I'll never apologize for winning." Looking for a sixth straight win over the Texans, the Colts will have receiver Andre Johnson on their side for the first time in the series. Johnson, who set team records for receptions (1,012), receiving yards (13,597) and receiving touchdowns (64) during his 12 seasons in Houston, asked to be released after he was told his role would be limited in 2015. He signed with Indianapolis in March. "I had 12 great years (in Houston)," he said. "Eventually, it came to an end. "I'm a Colt now. I'm just looking forward to going down there and win a football game." Perhaps this will be the game Johnson breaks out after recording seven receptions for 51 yards in four contests, and nothing in the last two. Houston yielded 184 combined receiving yards to Leonard Hankerson and running back Devonta Freeman in Sunday's 48-21 loss at Atlanta. However, it's the Texans' offense that has been a bigger issue through the first quarter of the season. They rank 24th with 19.3 points per game and committed four turnovers - two fumbles returned for TDs - against the Falcons. Despite going 12 of 27 for 150 yards with an interception before being benched Sunday, Ryan Mallett remains Houston's starter. "He's our starting quarterback," coach Bill O'Brien said of Mallett, who has completed 51.8 percent of his passes for 720 yards with three TDs and three INTs. "Like all of us, he knows that he has to play better. We all have to do better." Arian Foster gained 10 yards on eight attempts in his season debut Sunday. Playing from behind, the Texans ran for 54 yards after gaining 186 one week earlier in a 19-9 win over Tampa Bay. "We really need to work on the running game," O'Brien said. "We've got to be able to run the football." Foster has averaged 6.3 yards per carry and rushed for five TDs while gaining 505 in four home games against Indianapolis. When Mallett goes to the air he'll again look for DeAndre Hopkins, who ranks among the NFL leaders with 409 receiving yards after recording 157 on nine catches against the Falcons. He enjoyed the best of his four games against the Colts by hauling in five balls for 77 yards in a 17-10 road loss Dec. 14. Houston will be missing receiver Cecil Shorts, who's out indefinitely after dislocating his left shoulder Sunday. Despite their early struggles, the Texans haven't lost faith. "There's a lot of football to be played," O'Brien said. "This will be our first divisional game for us. That's a great opportunity ... We can't do anything about what happened (Sunday). We've got to really focus on Indianapolis and try to improve." Source: Hosted.Stats.com Edited October 8, 2015 by BLUE Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BwareDWare94 723 Posted October 8, 2015 I am counting on the Texans putting Indy at 2-3. While I'd hate to see Chuck Pagano fired for no legitimate reason, seeing the Colts struggle is worth more than his job, to me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oochymp 2,393 Posted October 8, 2015 Matt Hasselbeck to start at quarterback for Indianapolis Colts against Houston Texans smart move not sending a mending Luck out against that Houston front, but part of me has to wonder if he'd be good to go by Sunday Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ATL_Predator+ 1,196 Posted October 8, 2015 Texans win because they are blood drunk and embarrased from last week. Hasselbeck is fighting an illness and I bet that the Texans give Foster a lot more touches than they did last week. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vin+ 3,121 Posted October 8, 2015 Texans declared WR Cecil Shorts, WR Nate Washington, RB Jonathan Grimes, S Quintin Demps, LB Akeem Dent, LB Kourtnei Brown and C Greg Mancz inactive for Week 5 against the Colts. With Shorts and Washington inactive, fifth-rounder Keith Mumphery, and not third-rounder Jaelen Strong, will start opposite DeAndre Hopkins. Both wideouts are week to week. Mumphrey isn't a viable DFS punt play. Andrew Luck (shoulder) is officially inactive for Week 5 against the Texans. 40-year-old Matt Hasselbeck, who barely practiced this week due to a virus, will get the start against J.J. Watt and company in Houston. It's a massive downgrade for the Colts' entire skill corps, even RB Frank Gore. Gore is on the RB1 borderline, while T.Y. Hilton is now a boom-or-bust WR2. Donte Moncrief is a WR3 for Week 5. Also inactive for the Colts are RB Tyler Varga, LB Jerrell Freeman, OG Lance Louis, DL T.Y. McGill, OG Denzelle Good and OLB Bjoern Werner. Matt Hasselbeck (bacterial infection) "hopes" he can play all four quarters Thursday evening. Per NFL Network's Stacy Dales, Hasselbeck remains on antibiotics, and his "energy levels are extremely low." With Andrew Luck (shoulder) not even active on an emergency basis, journeyman Josh Johnson would get the call if Hasselbeck's stomach sends him to the bench. Along with his Thursday counterpart, Ryan Mallett, Hasselbeck is a bottom-two quarterback for Week 5. Source: Stacey Dales on Twitter There is no reason the Texans should lose this game. None. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
butta54 371 Posted October 9, 2015 Matt is half dead. Hasn't been to practice until Wed THEN had to get here early for a special walk through to learn the gameplan. Said he wants to get through these 4 quarters so he can go focus on being healthy. Texans have no excuse.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RazorStar 4,025 Posted October 9, 2015 Sure they have an excuse. A healthy Mallett is worse than a hacking hasslebeck. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
butta54 371 Posted October 9, 2015 Hackling Hasslebeck Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vin+ 3,121 Posted October 9, 2015 I don't think Hasselbeck was sick. This was all some clever ruse by the Colts. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Favre4Ever+ 4,476 Posted October 9, 2015 (edited) (1 - 2) 65 / 116 (56%), 753 Yards, 6.5 YPA, 5 TD, 7 INT(2 - 0) 48 / 76 (63%), 495 Yards, 6.5 YPA, 3 TD, 0 INT One Colts QB is much better than the other. Edited October 9, 2015 by Favre4Ever Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CampinWithaMissingPerson 2,025 Posted October 9, 2015 I think Luck used up all his QB wins too early. As PFT Commenter noted in his new podcast QB wins are not unlike eggs in a woman's vagina — in that there's only a finite amount. Luck seems to of used up all his QB wins between college and the start of his NFL career. From here on out he's officially garbage. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Favre4Ever+ 4,476 Posted October 9, 2015 Haha, I don't know if I would go that far. I mean, Luck DOES play the AFC South 6 times a year (3 of those games are now gone, two of which were wins by his backup). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bay 2,003 Posted October 9, 2015 Luck 1-2 Old Hass 2-0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oochymp 2,393 Posted October 9, 2015 Luck has played teams that are a combined 4-4 against teams that aren't the Colts, Hasselbeck has played teams that are a combined 2-5 against teams that aren't the Colts Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bay 2,003 Posted October 9, 2015 I know but Hass was like dead and stuff 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Favre4Ever+ 4,476 Posted October 9, 2015 Luck has played teams that are a combined 4-4 against teams that aren't the Colts, Hasselbeck has played teams that are a combined 2-5 against teams that aren't the Colts Because playing teams that are .500 justifies sub 60% completion and a negative TD to INT ratio. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
