Th Indianapolis Colts are preparing for their Week 7 AFC South matchup with the Houston Texans. Both teams are coming off of impressive wins over the Kansas City Chiefs, but the Colts still appear to be dealing with some injury concerns at the moment.
We’re well aware of safety Malik Hooker’s lengthy absence, and don’t expect him to be back immediately, but the Colts’ defense is still dominating this week’s injury report.
Wednesday's injury report for #HOUvsIND. pic.twitter.com/2ZEJCBDZ4Y
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) October 16, 2019
Pierre Desir, Tyquan Lewis, Kenny Moore, along with Hooker were all non-participants for the defense, while Parris Campbell sat today on the offensive side of the ball as his abdominal injury continues to linger. In Kemoko Turay being placed on Injured Reserve following his Week 5 broken ankle, Lewis would likely be a solid place-holder in replacing his pass rush from, both, the interior and possibly off of the edge.
Adding Hooker’s injury to that, and the Colts are still missing important pieces at two major levels of their unit. The Colts’ secondary is hurting as well with Desir and Moore being two of their best cornerbacks, and being essential players for the team against the Texans this week.
Darius Leonard’s return to practice should mitigate some of the defensive issues, but the Colts are going to need every healthy body they can gather in order to keep up with the red-hot Texans. Granted, this week’s injury list is considerably smaller than we’ve seen recently, there are still some important players we’d like to see back on the field.
Trying to limit DeAndre Hopkins, Will Fuller V, and their passer Deshaun Watson, will be hard enough with everyone healthy, let alone with a handful of the team’s best defenders on the shelf.
Linebacker Zaire Franklin and safety Clayton Geathers were also limited in today’s practice as well.