Colts are optimistic that they will be getting major boosts on both sides of the ball ahead of their Week 8 matchup vs. Texans

The Indianapolis Colts improved to above .500 for the first time this season with their Week 7 win over the Miami Dolphins. Now, head coach Shane Steichen has shared that the team could be getting two star players back on the field for their Week 8 matchup against the Houston Texans.  Colts are "very optimistic" about […]

Destin Adams NFL News Writer
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Oct 20, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) leaves the field Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, after defeating the Miami Dolphins at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Grace Hollars/IndyStar USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images

The Indianapolis Colts improved to above .500 for the first time this season with their Week 7 win over the Miami Dolphins. 

Now, head coach Shane Steichen has shared that the team could be getting two star players back on the field for their Week 8 matchup against the Houston Texans. 


Colts are "very optimistic" about getting Jonathan Taylor and DeForest Buckner back on the field 

The Colts have been without defensive tackle DeForest Buckner for the past five weeks and running back Jonathan Taylor for the past three. Buckner landed on the IR after suffering a high ankle sprain during the team's Week 2 loss to the Green Bay Packers. Taylor also suffered a high ankle sprain during the end of the team's Week 4 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. 

Since losing Buckner, the strength of the Colt's defense has become lackluster, which has been their pass rush. The team has recorded 14 sacks through the first seven weeks of the season. Four came in Week 1, with Buckner leading the way with 1.5 sacks. He wasn't able to finish their Week 2 matchup with the Packers, and they finished with zero, something that has now happened three times in total on the season. 

Losing Taylor has hurt the offense intensively. This past week was the first time the Colts have been able to rush for over 100 yards since Taylor's injury. Something they were able to accomplish in three of the four games he played in to begin the year. The beginning of that Steelers game was the best the Colts offense has looked all year long with both Anthony Richardson and Taylor on the field. If he can suit up against the Texans, the hope will be that the team can pick up where they left off before both suffered injuries in that game.