Colts RB Jonathan Taylor to play, DeForest Buckner questionable for return at Houston

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor is off the injury report and will play Sunday at Houston, while defensive tackle DeForest Buckner is questionable. Colts head coach Shane Steichen said Friday both former first-team All-Pros were “tracking well” as they near their respective returns.

Steichen only ruled out backup defensive end Genard Avery (foot) and rookie linebacker Jaylon Carlies (fibula/shoulder).

Having Taylor back in the lineup is a huge boost to 4-3 Indianapolis. A Colts win would tie them with 5-2 Houston atop the AFC South standings.

Taylor has not played since sustaining a right high ankle sprain in Week 4 against Pittsburgh, but he returned to practice this week and participated Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. The 25-year-old didn’t miss a game due to injury through his first two NFL seasons (he had one absence in 2020 due to COVID-19), but he has missed 16 games due to injury over the last three years. Prior to the ankle injury he suffered this year, Taylor was averaging 87.3 rushing yards through his first four games and has scored four TDs.

“The training room, it’s a great place,” Taylor said Thursday. “But that’s not really where you want to be.”

Buckner sustained a right high ankle sprain in Week 2 at Green Bay and was placed on injured reserve. The three-time Pro Bowler was eligible to return from IR last week, but the Colts did not open his 21-day practice window until Wednesday. Buckner practiced Wednesday and Thursday but did not practice Friday due to rest, per Steichen.

Buckner, who had 1.5 sacks against the Texans in Week 1, said he’s been “getting a little stir crazy” as he inches closer to rejoining his teammates on game day. Before his right high ankle sprain, Buckner had only missed one game due to injury since entering the NFL in 2016 (and had one absence in 2020 due to COVID-19).

“I’m being hopeful,” Buckner said Thursday.