Superficially, the 2015 seasons of the Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans look similar so far. Both teams started 0-2 before a Week 3 win. The Texans lost in Week 4 and the Colts won, but Indianapolis’ win only came because the Jacksonville Jaguars missed a pair of would-have-won-the-game field goals. Thursday evening, the 2-2 Colts travel to the 1-3 Texans, with the Colts looking to extend their AFC South lead and the Texans looking for a signature win.
Fantasy football advice, Week 5: Who to start/sit for Colts vs. Texans on Thursday night
The Colts finish off their three-week stretch of intra-divisional games with a shot to move above .500 on the season, while the Texans just want a second win.
The Colts will likely get tight end Dwayne Allen back from injury for Thursday’s game. Running back Frank Gore will play as well, despite a foot injury. The big question out of Indianapolis, though, is at quarterback. Andrew Luck missed Week 4, and is still questionable for Week 5 with shoulder issues. Backup Matt Hasselbeck was limited in practice this week as well, with an illness.
The Colts re-signed quarterback Josh Johnson as insurance for both guys. It looks like the highest likelihood is on Luck playing Thursday, though nothing is set in stone. On the Houston side ... well, the list is long. Running back Jonathan Grimes and wide receivers Nate Washington and Cecil Shorts III will all be out for Thursday. Quarterback Ryan Mallett and running backs Arian Foster and Chris Polk, though, should all play through their respective injuries.
The Texans will host the Colts for Sunday’s game, with kickoff scheduled for 8:25 p.m. ET. Let’s take a look at the fantasy names to consider:
COLTS
Start ‘em: The Indianapolis quarterback situation really muddles everything, fantasy-wise. If Andrew Luck plays, you almost have to use him, because he’s Andrew Luck, but he’s not without risk. ... A disappointing six fantasy points in Week 4 took some of the shine off of Frank Gore’s big Week 3. He’s still a starter, but a low-end RB2.
Start ‘em?: If Luck plays, T.Y. Hilton and Donte Moncrief are mid-range WR2 plays, maybe a bit higher. If he sits, though, they are barely flex options. ... Coby Fleener puts up TE1 fantasy numbers whenever Dwayne Allen sits, but Allen should be back Thursday, making both much more questionable. ... After a rough first two weeks, Adam Vinatieri appears to have things back on track at least a little. He’s a fine play, if not a great one. ... The Colts’ defense isn’t special, but the Houston offense isn’t, either.
Sit ‘em: It’s simple, if Luck sits Thursday: You don’t use Matt Hasselbeck, and you really don’t use Josh Johnson. ... Through four weeks, Andre Johnson has four fantasy points. Total.
TEXANS
Start ‘em: Fantasy owners had to be frustrated that Arian Foster’s 2015 debut featured exactly one fantasy point, but all signs point to a greatly increased role in Week 5. ... DeAndre Hopkins’ incredibly heavy workload will likely diminish as Foster’s rises. He’s a WR1 either way, though, and will be even better if Indianapolis CB Vontae Davis can’t play through his foot injury.
Start ‘em?: Here’s an interesting one. Teams’ No. 2 wide receivers have fared well against the Colts this year, with Davis blanketing teams’ No. 1 guys. That means, if Davis can play Thursday night, and with Cecil Shorts III and Nate Washington sidelined, Jaelen Strong could be an intriguing dart throw in deep leagues.
Sit ‘em: The Texans would love to not have to start Ryan Mallett anymore, but Brian Hoyer isn’t exactly better. The team is in something of a holding pattern with this quarterback situation. ... As Foster’s role increases, there will be less and less work for Alfred Blue and Chris Polk. ... In four games this year, Garrett Graham has zero fantasy points in three of them. ... In his Texans’ debut, Nick Novak put up two fantasy points. Houston kickers are averaging barely five fantasy points a game. ... The Texans’ defense should be better than this, but as of now the unit is averaging two fantasy points per game.
SUMMARY
Start in every league: Andrew Luck, Frank Gore, Arian Foster, DeAndre Hopkins
Start if you’re desperate: T.Y. Hilton, Donte Moncrief, Coby Fleener, Dwayne Allen, Adam Vinatieri, Indianapolis defense, Jaelen Strong
Bench: Matt Hasselbeck, Josh Johnson, Andre Johnson, Ryan Mallett, Brian Hoyer, Alfred Blue, Chris Polk, Garrett Graham, Nick Novak, Houston defense
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SB Nation presents: NFL Week 5 fantasy football waiver wire targets
