Week 1 inactive players for the Indianapolis Colts vs. Houston Texans highly anticipated matchup

The Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans are set to square off for a highly important AFC South matchup to kick off the 2024 season. Both teams announced their list of inactive players ahead of today's game. Below is the full list that both teams released ahead of kickoff at 1 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.  Colts Week […]

Destin Adams NFL News Writer
Add as preferred source on Google
Dec 31, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (1) during warmups before the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

The Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans are set to square off for a highly important AFC South matchup to kick off the 2024 season. 

Both teams announced their list of inactive players ahead of today's game. Below is the full list that both teams released ahead of kickoff at 1 p.m. Eastern Standard Time


Colts Week 1 inactive players

The Colts announced that, as well as Josh Downs and Matt Gay that rookie Tanor Bortonli, Blake Freeland, Dallis Flowers, and Will Mallory are healthy inactives. The team ruled starting kicker Matt Gay as questionable heading into this game, but after elevating rookie Spencer Shrader this week, this isn't a big surprise.

The Colts did make some shocking moves, though, with them making Blake Freeland a healthy scratch after he started multiple games for the team last season. Instead, they are making rookie Matt Goncalves their swing tackle for Week 1. They are also going to roll with veteran Danny Pinter as their backup center this week, and the team is choosing to make rookie Tanor Bortolini inactive. And lastly, the Colts decided to make Dallis Flowers a healthy scratch. He is one of the only players on their roster who they could play on the outside, so the team must be very comfortable with Juju Brents and Jaylon Jones manning those spots. 


Texans Week 1 inactive players 

While the Texans didn't rule a single starter out of this game they do still have some interesting inactive players for Week 1. They made RB Cam Akers and WR John Metchie III healthy scratches. Both had solid flashes during the preseason, especially Metchie III. But due to Houston's WR room being so stacked, he won't be suiting up against the Colts today. It may be a sign that they are looking to trade him this season to a WR-needy team at some point.