Another day of practice and another handful of Houston Texans players missing reps.
Defensive end Jonathan Greenard remained sidelined Wednesday as the Texans enter their final stages of preparation for their Week 18 AFC Playoff-clinching matchup against the Indianapolis Colts. Other players who did not participate include defensive end Will Anderson (ankle), defensive tackles Sheldon Rankins (ankle) and Maliek Collins (hip), receivers Noah Brown (back) and Robert Woods (hip), and fullback Andrew Beck (calf).
Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil (groin) returned in limited capacity but is expected to play Saturday night at Lucas Oil Stadium. His returns only strengthen the offensive line for C.J. Stroud as Houston looks to secure its first 10-win season since 2019.
Just because players don't practice doesn't mean they won't suit up for game time. Woods and Anderson were both limited entering the last day of preparation last Friday before taking on the Tennessee Titans and playing through the injury.
Anderson had two sacks on quarterback Ryan Tannehill en route to a 26-3 win. Woods finished with four catches for 58 yards.
Collins didn't play in last week's win over the Titans and could take another week before being cleared to play. Rankins was limited on Wednesday last week but eventually suited up, securing a 13-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown in the second quarter.
Greenard seems to be the biggest question mark as of now. Injured in the first quarter against the Cleveland Browns, the Texans leader in sacks (12.5) did not partake in drills leading up to the matchup against Tennessee.
Jerry Hughes recorded a strip-sack against Titans rookie Will Levis in place of Grennard. The Texans would love to have both of their top pass rushers entering a must-win showdown. This season, the Colts have allowed 40 sacks, 16th-most in the NFL.
Brown, who left Sunday's game in the third quarter, seems like a stretch to play, given the severity of the injury. Should he be ruled inactive, expect both Xavier Hutchinson and John Metchie III to see their rep count expand.
Last week, the duo combined for three catches and 18 yards.
The winner from Saturday will get one of the final spots in the playoffs, while the loser will be eliminated from contention. Should Houston secure the dub and the Jaguars lose to Tennessee, it'll also clinch the AFC South and play host to the Cleveland Browns in the Wild Card Round.
Saturday also marks the first time Houston has played on primetime all season. It's actually the first time the Texans have played outside the 1 p.m. ET schedule since last season's Thursday Night Football loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Nov. 3.
For the Texans, they're not treating it like a special event, but rather just another day in the huddle.
“You don’t want to make it too high or too low. It’s just a regular game," said Stroud. "I told my teammates earlier, it’s the same game we’ve been playing since we’ve been young. Nothing changes. Got to just prepare hard and do everything that we need to do to win this game.”
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