Crucial players return as the Texans surge, gearing up for a must-win game against a formidable Colts squad. Health ignites playoff hopes.
It's the worst kept secret among Houston Texans supporters: starting quarterback C.J. Stroud and star defensive back Jalen Pitre are set to return for a pivotal matchup against the Indianapolis Colts (8-3).
The Texans' health coincides with other teams' struggles to stay healthy. Other teams' health misfortunes are not anything to celebrate, but Houston's good health is worth being grateful.
Indianapolis Colts breakout quarterback Daniel Jones may be functioning well despite a fracture in his fibula, but almost certainly won't be functioning at 100% if and when he returns. So, it goes without saying Stroud's healthy return is worth being thankful for on this post-Thanksgiving weekend.
The Texans have done well to hold down the fort in Stroud's absence. Houston has won three straight without Stroud behind mostly above expectation backup quarterbacking from David Mills and the team's trademark dominant defense.
Houston has gone from 3-5 to 6-5 in that span firmly solidifying itself as a legitimate NFL playoff contender. Now they benefit from the return of one of the league's best young quarterbacks.
The career average 64.1% completion percentage passer is completing 66.5% of his passes in 2025 and throwing for 1,702 yards and 11 touchdowns to just five interceptions. His emergence from the injury report certainly gives the team a potential boost in explosivity and scoring potential after a huge 23-19 win over the Buffalo Bills.
The Texans will likely need to score plenty of points to defeat the imposing Indianapolis Colts offense led by Jonathan Taylor. For the season, Taylor leads his team with 1,197 rushing yards and an eye-popping 15 rushing touchdowns on 205 carries. Taylor leads the NFL in rushing by over 100 yards and has four more rushing touchdowns than the next highest total at his position (Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs, 11).
Despite his high volume of carries, Taylor also leads the league among qualifying rushing in yards per carry with 5.8 yards per attempt.
Colts tight end Tyler Warren will be another player to monitor for the Colts. Warren ranks among top receivers in receiving yards for the season at No. 22 in the league with 662 yards in 2025.
Despite the Texans' dominant defense, Stroud and company may need to score 20-or-more points to beat the Colts. Fortunately for Houston, the team is getting healthy at the perfect time. The team will look to make a dent in the playoff picture with a huge win over the Colts.