The Indianapolis Colts ruled out two active players, as well as both of their Injured Reserve-Designated to Return players ahead of the season finale against the Houston Texans.
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — The Indianapolis Colts have concluded their final week of practice for the 2025 season, now setting their sights on Sunday afternoon's AFC South road matchup with the Houston Texans.
The Colts are getting center Tanor Bortolini back from the concussion protocol after he was forced to miss last week's game. Rookie second-round pick defensive end JT Tuimoloau (oblique) and guard Dalton Tucker (shoulder) return from last week's absences as well.
Here is how both teams' health is shaping up ahead of Sunday afternoon's matchup.
COLTS
WEDNESDAY
The Colts had a walkthrough on Wednesday. The practice participation is an estimation of a regular practice.
- Did Not Participate — CB Sauce Gardner (calf), CB Jaylon Jones (illness), TE Will Mallory (lung), G Dalton Tucker (shoulder)
- Limited Participant — DE JT Tuimoloau (oblique)
- Full Participant — CB Mekhi Blackmon (back), C Tanor Bortolini (concussion), IOL Danny Pinter (rib), OT Bernhard Raimann (elbow), QB Anthony Richardson Sr. (IR-eye), S Daniel Scott (IR-knee)
THURSDAY
- Did Not Participate — LB Zaire Franklin (illness), CB Sauce Gardner (calf), TE Will Mallory (lung)
- Full Participant — CB Mekhi Blackmon (back), C Tanor Bortolini (concussion), CB Jaylon Jones (illness), IOL Danny Pinter (rib), OT Bernhard Raimann (elbow), QB Anthony Richardson Sr. (IR-eye), S Daniel Scott (knee), G Dalton Tucker (shoulder), DE JT Tuimoloau (oblique)
FRIDAY
- Did Not Participate — CB Sauce Gardner (calf), TE Will Mallory (lung)
- Full Participant — CB Mekhi Blackmon (back), C Tanor Bortolini (concussion), LB Zaire Franklin (illness), CB Jaylon Jones (illness), IOL Danny Pinter (rib), OT Bernhard Raimann (elbow), QB Anthony Richardson Sr. (IR-eye), S Daniel Scott (knee), G Dalton Tucker (shoulder), DE JT Tuimoloau (oblique)
OUT — CB Sauce Gardner (calf), TE Will Mallory, QB Anthony Richardson Sr. (IR-eye), S Daniel Scott (IR-knee)
Star defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, who was placed on Injured Reserve for a second time last week, had surgery to repair his troublesome neck injury.
"Buck had successful surgery this week, so that was good," Colts head coach Shane Steichen told reporters on Friday. "I know that he’s going to have some recovery time, and then plan on him being back, is the plan."
The Colts are playing it safe with Richardson, not activating him from IR because of his ongoing vision impairment. Both he and Scott practiced throughout their three-week window, but they will not be activated for the finale.
The Colts will be without Gardner for the fourth time in the last five weeks as his calf injury continues to cause problems. Mallory suffered a big hit in last week's game and was not ready to go at any point this week,
TEXANS
WEDNESDAY
- Did Not Participate — LB Azeez Al-Shaair (knee/shoulder), DE Denico Autry (knee), OT Trent Brown (ankle/knee), WR Nico Collins (rest), LB Jamal Hill (calf), CB Kamari Lassiter (ankle/knee), DT Sheldon Rankins (elbow), TE Dalton Schultz (personal), CB Derek Stingley (oblique)
- Limited Participant — OT Aireontae Ersery (thumb), K Ka'imi Fairbairn (illness), G Ed Ingram (ankle)
- Full Participant — LS Austin Brinkman (knee), CB Ajani Carter (IR-hamstring), DE Darrell Taylor (IR-ankle)
THURSDAY
- Did Not Participate — LB Jamal Hill (calf), CB Kamari Lassiter (ankle/knee)
- Limited Participant — LB Azeez Al-Shaair (knee/shoulder), DE Denico Autry (knee), OT Trent Brown (ankle/knee), WR Nico Collins (rest), G Ed Ingram (ankle), DT Sheldon Rankins (elbow), CB Derek Stingley (oblique)
- Full Participant — LS Austin Brinkman (knee), CB Ajani Carter (IR-hamstring), OT Aireontae Ersery (thumb), K Ka'imi Fairbairn (illness), DE Darrell Taylor (IR-ankle)
FRIDAY
- Did Not Participate — LB Jamal Hill (calf), CB Kamari Lassiter (ankle/knee)
- Limited Participant — OT Trent Brown (ankle/knee)
- Full Participant — LB Azeez Al-Shaair (knee/shoulder), DE Denico Autry (knee), LS Austin Brinkman (knee), CB Ajani Carter (IR-hamstring), WR Nico Collins (rest), OT Aireontae Ersery (thumb), K Ka'imi Fairbairn (illness), G Ed Ingram (ankle), DT Sheldon Rankins (elbow), CB Derek Stingley (oblique), DE Darrell Taylor (IR-ankle)
OUT — LB Jamal Hill (calf), CB Kamari Lassiter (ankle/knee)
QUESTIONABLE — OT Trent Brown (ankle/knee), CB Ajani Carter (IR-hamstring), DE Darrell Taylor (IR-ankle)
Like Indy, Houston got a much cleaner bill of health as the week wore on. Serious players such as Al-Shaair, Autry, Ersery, Fairbairn, Ingram, Rankins, and Stingley were all able to clear the final injury report. Meanwhile, the Texans will be without Lassiter, which is a notable blow.
The Colts and Texans face off on Sunday afternoon at 1:00 p.m. ET at NRG Stadium on CBS.
Jake Arthur has been covering the Indianapolis Colts for over a dozen years and is a member of the PFWA. He's one half of the Locked On Colts podcast and has worked for the Colts' official website, On SI, and more. You can follow him on X @JakeArthurNFL.