Multiple Colts starters are far from 100% but are toughing it out to play in the team’s important matchup with the Texans

The Colts elected to not play it safe with multiple key starters as they take on their AFC South rivals the Texans.

Destin Adams — NFL News Writer

Nov 30, 2025 12:27 PM EST

Today’s game versus the Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans has the chance to be the most critical game of either team’s season. The AFC South is up for grabs with the Colts’ lead over the Jacksonville Jaguars down to only one game and lead over the Texans at two.

The Colts host the Texans today for their week 13 matchup, and multiple players are far from 100% healthy. You can see that even the players recognize the importance of this game, with key starters demonstrating their toughness by playing through injuries and illnesses.

Colts didn’t feel the need to have insurance plans with Daniel Jones and Tyler Warren playing through an injury and an illness

Colts star rookie TE Tyler Warren was a late addition to the team’s injury report on Saturday. It was reported that he is dealing with a stomach virus, which could definitely affect his play today, but he will push through and remain active. The team still decided to make TE Will Mallory a healthy inactive, not providing them with an insurance plan behind Warren.

They are doing the same with Daniel Jones at quarterback. Jones is dealing with a fractured fibula and will play through this game and likely future games despite the injury. And yet, they did not decide to elevate a third quarterback from their practice squad, with Anthony Richardson already on IR due to an eye injury. The Colts are playing it risky, but they seem to trust these starters to keep themselves safe, and still help them win today’s game.

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