The Indianapolis Colts were hoping to Andrew Luck back for Thursday's game against the Houston Texans, but he's still out with a shoulder injury. At least the Colts will have the comfort of knowing that they've still got the best quarterback on the field.
Colts vs. Texans 2015 live stream: Time, TV schedule and how to watch online
Indianapolis has two quarterbacks listed as questionable, but is still better off at the position than Houston.
Even at 40 years old and three years removed from his last start, Hasselbeck went 30 for 47 in last week's overtime win against the Jaguars, throwing a touchdown and leading a tying drive in the fourth quarter before the winning drive in overtime.
Those numbers would make him the instant starter in Houston, where Brian Hoyer and Ryan Mallett are playing hot potato with the starting job. Hoyer started the season, but lost the job after Week 1. Mallett started the next three games, helping Houston beat the hapless Buccaneers, but got yanked last week when Atlanta took a 42-0 lead. Hoyer led three fourth-quarter scoring drives, but Mallett still has the job for now.
“He’s our starting quarterback,” Texans coach Bill O’Brien said in his Monday press conference. “Like all of us, he knows that he has to play better. We all have to do better. He’s got to do a better job of throwing the ball more accurately, be more controlled in the pocket, don’t turn it over, get us into the right play, but that’s who will start against the Indianapolis Colts.”
So Mallett knows he's going into the game with a short leash. At the very least, he should get more help from the ground game. Running back Arian Foster, who made his season debut Sunday in a limited role, is expected to get more of a workload Thursday night.
Still, Mallett could be missing two of his top targets. Cecil Shorts is out with a shoulder injury, while Nate Washington won't play due to a hamstring strain. That leaves DeAndre Hopkins -- Houston's best receiver -- and a trio of rookies. Keith Mumphery has shown some flashes, but only has six catches in four games, while Chandler Worthy has three and Jaelen Strong is still looking for his first catch.
That's good news for the Colts, who come into the game with the league's 23rd-ranked passing defense. They also get cornerback Greg Toler back from a neck injury, while pass-rush specialist Robert Mathis is slowly working his way into shape after missing last season with a torn Achilles tendon.
No matter the quarterback situation, the Colts also need to get more production from their running game. Frank Gore is only averaging 56.8 yards a game, and hasn't gotten any help. Luck has rushed for 65 yards in his three games, but that's out of desperation.
The Colts should be in good shape against Houston unless they let the turnover margin get out of hand again. They lead the league with 12 turnovers, including Luck’s seven interceptions, and only have three takeaways. Luckily for Indianapolis, the Texans haven’t been much better, turning the ball over eight times while forcing two interceptions and no fumbles.
With a win, the Colts will move above .500 after starting the season 0-2, and they will also get a 10-day rest before their next game. They will need all of that, with the Patriots next on the schedule. If the Texans can get the victory, they will have a chance to build some momentum with winnable games against Jacksonville and Miami next on the schedule.
How to watch
When: 8:25 p.m. ET
Where: NRG Stadium, Houston
Network: CBS/NFL
Announcers: Jim Nantz, Phil Simms
Online: NFL Game Pass
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