HOUSTON – The Texans plan to play their starters in the final game of the regular season against the Indianapolis Colts, according to coach DeMeco Ryans.
They’re also balancing another agenda: managing multiple starters’ injuries and resting them during the week.
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Several players didn’t practice Wednesday, including key players that finished the game Saturday in a win over the Los Angeles Chargers.
Among those not practicing: Pro Bowl wide receiver Nico Collins (rest day) cornerbacks Derek Stingley Jr. (oblique), Kamari Lassiter (ankle, knee), tight end Dalton Schultz (personal), offensive tackle Trent Brown (knee, ankle), defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins (elbow), defensive end Denico Autry (knee), middle linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair (knee, shoulder), and linebacker Jamal Hill (calf).
Rookie offensive tackle Aireontae Ersery practices on a limited basis. He broke and dislocated his thumb and had metal hardware inserted to speed up the healing process, per league sources.
After practice, Ersery stated he almost played against the Chargers and was given the choice to play or not and thought it was too soon to get back out there. Now, he emphasized he’s back and ready to go for Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts.
If the Texans beat the Colts and the Jacksonville Jaguars lose to the Tennessee Titans, then the Texans will win the AFC South division title, earn the third seed, moving up from current fifth seed, and host a home playoff game at NRG Stadium. If both teams win or lose, the Texans will face the fourth seed and the winner of a Sunday night game against the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers.
“As we go through preparing for the playoffs, we have to focus on this week,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “As we focus on this week, my mindset is our guys are playing. We have something to play for. That’s the division. We have to control what we control and that’s going and trying to find a way to beat a really good Colts team.
“That’s my focus. That’s where we are. When it comes to managing guys, as I coach, and I’ve always been about this, everybody is on their own individualized plan. That’s how I always attack everything. Each man has to do what he has to do to prepare himself to be ready to go play. If guys are ready to go, they’ll be out there.”
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com