HOUSTON – As the Texans prepare for a regular-season finale against the Indianapolis Colts, they were nearly at full strength for a Thursday practice.
Texans coach DeMeco Ryans has emphasized he plans to play any starters healthy enough to go against the Colts. A win over the Colts combined with a Jacksonville Jaguars loss to the Tennessee Titans would mean the Texans win their third consecutive AFC South division title.
Several players returned to practice Thursday, including veteran offensive tackle Trent Brown from knee and ankle injuries that sidelined him against the Los Angeles Chargers. With Brown back along with rookie left tackle Aireontae Ersery after thumb surgery for a fracture and dislocation, the Texans have the option of going back to their regular offensive line of Ersery, Tytus Howard at left guard, Jake Andrews at center, Ed Ingram at right guard and Brown at right tackle. Ersery said he plans to play and is ready to go. If the Texans hold out Brown, then Howard would play right tackle again and Jarrett Patterson could play left guard again.
All-Pro corner Derek Stingley Jr. (oblique), wide receiver Nico Collins (rest), Brown, middle linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair (knee, shoulder), defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins (elbow), defensive end Denico Autry (knee), tight end Dalton Schultz (personal) all returned to practice Thursday after missing Wednesday. The only players not practicing are starting corner Kamari Lassiter (knee) and linebacker Jamal Hill (calf).
Ersery was a full participant along with kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn (illness), Ajani Carter (hamstring), Austin Brinkman (knee), Darrell Taylor (ankle).
Limited: Autry, Al-Shaair, Collins, Stingley, Ingram (ankle), Brown and Rankins.
“As we go through preparing for the playoffs, we have to focus on this week,” Ryans said. “As we focus on this week, my mindset is our guys are playing. We have something to play for. That’s the division. We have to control what we control and that’s going and trying to find a way to beat a really good Colts team.
“That’s my focus. That’s where we are. When it comes to managing guys, as I coach, and I’ve always been about this, everybody is on their own individualized plan. That’s how I always attack everything. Each man has to do what he has to do to prepare himself to be ready to go play. If guys are ready to go, they’ll be out there.”
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com
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