The Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts meet in a key AFC South matchup with both teams at 0-2, making Sunday’s divisional game an important early-season test. The Texans lost to Buffalo and the Cincinnati Bengals, while the Colts fell to the Denver Broncos and the Kansas City Chiefs.
Houston enters with several absences, though C.J. Stroud will lead the offense, Houston is without star receiver Nico Collins and starting right guard Ed Ingram, while Jadeveon Clowney is also out. Trent Brown was questionable with knee and wrist injuries, making his status a major storyline before kickoff.
What is Trent Brown’s Status Today?
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Brown is active for the Texans, despite carrying a questionable designation with knee and wrist injuries. Houston’s inactive list does not include the veteran right tackle. His practice week moved in the right direction. Brown did not practice Wednesday, returned as a limited participant Thursday and then practiced fully Friday.
The Texans still kept him listed as questionable, but the progression gave Houston reason to believe he could suit up. Brown’s return matters for an offense that needs stability. Houston has already lost starting right guard Ed Ingram to a groin injury, while Brown is one of the key pieces protecting Stroud. The Texans also enter the game without Collins, leaving even less room for mistakes up front.
Stroud needs better support after a productive but frustrating Week 2. The quarterback has thrown for 627 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions through two games. He followed 274 yards against Buffalo with 353 against Cincinnati, but Houston scored only six points against the Bengals.
Added pressure falls on running backs David Montgomery and Woody Marks, who were held to combined 18 rushing yards in Week 2. Ultimately, Brown’s availability gives the Texans another experienced blocker as they try to give Stroud time and get the offense moving against Indianapolis.
