Following Friday's practices, both the Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans released their final injury reports ahead of their Week 1 matchup.
The Colts had two starters on their final report , with them ruling out second-year WR Josh Downs, as well as listing kicker Matt Gay as questionable.
But that wasn't the case for the Texans, with the team ruling out only one player for the game, M.J. Stewart, who isn't a starter.
The Colts will face full-strength Texans
After last season's dramatic end, I think playing the Texans fully healthy is exactly what every player in the Colts locker room was hoping for. Of course, they would have liked to have their entire starting group out on the field. But sadly, they will be without starting slot WR Josh Downs and potentially kicker Matt Gay.
The Texans made multiple notable moves this offseason to upgrade their roster. So, on paper, they will be even more talented than the team that knocked them out of the playoff race last season. But it also means they have multiple players who will be making their first start as a member of the Texans. They will be without one of their notable offseason acquisitions, due to former Colts defensive lineman Denico Autry being suspended the first six games of the season.
Meanwhile, the Colts are returning nearly every starter from last season. And unlike the Week 18 matchup, they will have their starting quarterback back under center in Anthony Richardson. The only newly acquired Colts expected to have a legit role on Sunday are rookies Laiatu Latu and Adonai Mitchell. And the only player entering their first season as a full-time starter for the team is safety Nick Cross.
