Daniel Jones was limited in practice on Wednesday with a fibula injury, but Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen labeled his quarterback “good to go” for a Sunday game against the Houston Texans.
Jones was on the injury report last week but played start to finish at Kansas City in an overtime loss to the Chiefs that knocked the AFC South leaders back toward the pack at 8-3.
“All I’ve got for you is he’s got a fibula, and that’s it,” Steichen said Wednesday. “I’m not going to get into specifics but he’s out there. He’s playing. He’s practicing. He’s good to go.”
Houston (6-5) rolls into Indianapolis with a three-game winning streak, two edge rushers with double-digit sacks and reinforcements expected to get back on the field in quarterback CJ Stroud and nickel corner Jalen Pitre. Both players are on schedule to clear concussion protocol, head coach DeMeco Ryans said Wednesday.
Jones was sacked a total of 12 times in two games before the Colts’ offensive line pitched a shutout at Kansas City. Protection should receive a boost playing at home for the first time since Oct. 26.
“It’s a good defense. It’s aggressive. They do a good job rushing the passer, they’ve got good players in the secondary,” Jones said, while downplaying the injury. “I’ve just been trying to get treatment and make sure I’m in the best spot I can be. It’s just something I felt last week. Got looked at. … I’m good. I’m all good. I’ll be ready to go Sunday.”
The Texans lead the NFL in total defense (264.3 yards per game) and rank second in scoring defense (16.5 points per game). The Texans registered eight sacks of Josh Allen and beat the Buffalo Bills last week. Edge rushers Danielle Hunter (11 sacks) and Will Anderson (10.5 sacks) lead Houston’s pass rush, a top concern for Jones and the Colts leading up to Sunday’s game.
Steichen’s counter punch of NFL rushing leader Jonathan Taylor (1,197 yards) is part of the reason Jones isn’t fretting the leg issue or limited live reps to start the week.
“We obviously know what’s at stake. We’re back at home,” Taylor said. “At the end of the day, November-December you want to be playing your best ball.”
