The Indianapolis Colts are expecting Matt Hasselbeck to start in Week 15 against the Texans after dealing with an injury last week, while Andrew Luck still is not yet ready to return. Luck was able to return to practice for the Colts, but he has not yet been cleared for game action and that could come in Week 16 when the Colts take on the Dolphins.
According to Pro Football Talk, Hasselbeck was back at practice on Thursday after dealing with rib and arm injuries against the Jaguars last weekend. Hasselbeck practiced on a limited basis and while there is a good chance he will play on Sunday, ESPN reporter Mike Wells writes that Hasselbeck is "not guaranteed" to play against the Texans after dealing with those injuries. Wells writes that Hasselbeck still is having some trouble breathing with the injury and if it doesn't improve, there is a chance that Charlie Whitehurst could play.
Andrew Luck has been ruled out of a return for this weekend by head coach Chuck Pagano, but the quarterback was able to practice this week. Pagano said Luck is not playing and that leaves either Hasselbeck or Whitehurst to start for the Colts. Luck practiced for the first time since suffering abdominal and kidney injuries last month and that could mean he is getting closer to a return to game action. Luck did individual work in practice on Wednesday and has not yet been fully cleared for his injuries.
Colts owner Jim Irsay had been hoping Luck could return for Week 15, as the Colts have a big game against the Houston Texans that could decide the division title. Luck looks more likely to return in Week 16, according to CBS Sports reporter Jason La Canfora. The Colts have had Hasselbeck in the starting lineup for Luck with this injury and he has gone 2-2 in those games while throwing for eight touchdowns and four interceptions.
Frank Gore and TY Hilton will need to step up with Luck out again and both players should be featured on offense against a solid Texans defense. Gore comes in after rushing for 60 yards against the Jaguars last week, while Hilton had four catches for 132 yards in the game. Fantasy owners in the playoffs should consider using those two players for Week 15, while Donte Moncrief is more of a boom-bust option at this point.
The Colts and Texans both have 6-7 records coming into the game on Sunday and the winner of this matchup will be in control of the division. It's unlikely that either team will be in the wild card mix if they lose with the Chiefs, Jets and Steelers now 8-5, so this matchup is huge for both sides. The teams will both be using backup quarterbacks in the game, as Brian Hoyer is out with a concussion and TJ Yates is going to start for Houston.