The Indianapolis Colts announced six inactives for Sunday vs. the Houston Texans, including quarterback Philip Rivers, but their opponent made an impact addition of their own.
The Indianapolis Colts (8-8) take on the Houston Texans (11-5) on Sunday afternoon in the season finale.
Both teams have begun ratcheting down some veteran players of whom they don't want to risk injury, included among the combined list of 13 inactive players.
As for injuries, the Colts ruled out cornerback Sauce Gardner (calf) and tight end Will Mallory (lung) on Friday, while also declaring that they would not be activating Injured Reserve list players quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. (eye) and safety Daniel Scott (knee).
On Friday, the Texans ruled out linebacker Jamal Hill (calf) and cornerback Kamari Lassiter (ankle/knee). Listed as questionable were offensive tackle Trent Brown (ankle/knee), cornerback Ajani Carter (IR-hamstring), and defensive end Darrell Taylor (IR-ankle). Brown was made inactive.
Here are the inactive players for both teams:
- CB Sauce Gardner (calf)
- DT Eric Johnson II
- S Reuben Lowery III
- TE Will Mallory (lung)
- S George Odum
- QB Philip Rivers
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.
Rivers is also not listed as the emergency quarterback, so it appears he is officially done playing.
The Colts will be without Gardner for the fourth time in the last five weeks as his calf injury continues to be a problem. Mallory suffered a big hit in last week's game and was not ready to go at any point this week.
- WR Braxton Berrios
- OT Trent Brown (ankle/knee)
- RB Nick Chubb
- WR Nico Collins
- LB Jamal Hill (calf)
- CB Kamari Lassiter (ankle/knee)
- QB Graham Mertz
Like Indy, Houston got a much cleaner bill of health as the week wore on. Serious players such as linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, defensive lineman Denico Autry, offensive tackle Aireontae Ersery, kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn, guard Ed Ingram, defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins, and cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. 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.