After an injury-riddled 2023, the Indianapolis Colts look to rebound in a big way this Sunday against the very AFC South foe that ended their season.
The Indianapolis Colts look to do what they couldn’t the last time they strapped up to play some ‘real’ football: beat the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium. Both sides had key members out the last time these two teams met, though no bigger absence than Colts’ starting QB Anthony Richardson.
All football fans should be collectively hoping for a game where Richardson and Stroud both start and finish the game since their first meeting saw Richardson exit the game early after a questionably late hit in the end zone and their second without him entirely.
Indy was without Richardson in their most recent matchup, though as far as last season as a whole went, the Colts were missing key members every week of the season. This isn’t too abnormal for an NFL team as injuries are unfortunately inevitable in the game of football, however, Indy in particular was without five key members who each missed at least 1/4th of their 2023 season:
- QB Anthony Richardson
- RB Jonathan Taylor
- RT Braden Smith
- DT Grover Stewart
- CB JuJu Brents
Fast-forward to the 2024 season opener and all five listed Colts are slated to start. As alluded to, both Indianapolis and Houston were without key members during their 2023 season-finale but the fact Indy is so close to full strength to start their season, against a hype-filled divisional opponent nonetheless, should bring optimism at the least.
The Rematch should be a solid barometer of what’s to come from both teams this season, given they stay healthy. The Colts are nearly 100% healthy with nagging injuries from WR Josh Downs and Kicker Matt Gay keeping them from such a distinction. While the Colts are ready to run it back with a much healthier roster, Houston is ready to send out its revamped (& healthier) squad this time around.
