The Houston Texans can still win the AFC South, and therefore are playing their starters in Week 18 against the Indianapolis Colts. All but one, that is, as head coach DeMeco Ryans and the Texans’ medical staff made a critical decision for one player on the roster.
Ryans has made it clear that the Texans are approaching this game looking for a win to bolster their chances of winning the division.
However, the biggest thing for the Texans remains being as healthy as possible in the playoffs.
Texans Make Final Call on Kamari Lassiter vs Colts
GettyKamari Lassiter #4 of the Houston Texans looks on against the New York Jets.
Ryans and the Texans listed 14 players on their final injury report of the 2025 regular season, but only two of those players were ruled out ahead of Sunday’s tilt against the Colts at home in NRG Stadium.
However, one of those players was cornerback Kamari Lassiter.
Lassiter had been battling a foot injury for several weeks, but picked up a knee issue in Week 17 against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Notably, KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson reported on X that Lassiter was “expected back definitely” for the Texans in the playoffs after noting the second-year corner was not among the group of players at practice on Friday.
Judging from Texans wide receiver Nico Collins’ comments, Lassiter will be missed on the field.
“Kamari, he ain’t right,” Collins jokingly told reporters on New Year’s Day before continuing to praise the CB. “He a dawg. That’s all you need. That’s what you need at corner, that’s what you need on the defensive side. Someone that just ain’t right. But nah, that dude’s a playmaker, and it shows. His work he’s been putting in, since Day 1, in camp, when we got here. Just competing against him every day, throughout camp, man, we getting each other better.
“It’s not surprising to me to see him out there doing what he do. We been seeing that throughout, Day 1, since we got here.”
Texans Clear Multiple Starters
GettyAzeez Al-Shaair #0 of the Houston Texans reacts against the Denver Broncos.
Aside from Lassiter, backup linebacker Jamal Hill is the only other player the Texans ruled out, as several players shed their injury designations entirely.
Collins, corner Derek Stingley Jr., defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins, linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, and offensive linemen Aireontae Ersery and Ed Ingram, all of whom are starters, were fully cleared of their ailments ahead of Sunday’s regular-season-ending tilt.
Additionally, backup defensive end Denico Autry was also cleared.
The Texans cleared kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn and long snapper Alex Brinkman, too, keeping two key components of the special teams in place for the finale.
DeMeco Ryans, Texans Awaiting Final Word on Super Bowl Champion, 2 Others
GettyHouston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans looks on against the Tennessee Titans.
Ryans and the Texans are not out of the woods as injuries, even beyond Lassiter. Starting right tackle Trent Brown is listed as questionable for the Colts game. Brown, a Super Bowl champion, missed the Texans’ Week 17 win over the Chargers due to ankle and knee injuries.
His return, be it in Week 18 or in time for the Wild Card Round, alongside Ersery–who also missed Week 17–and Ingram, is good news for Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud, in particular.
Backups Ajani Carter and Darrell Taylor are also questionable for the Texans.
Ryans and the Texans can accomplish multiple goals, even if they do not control their destiny in the division. They can get out to an early lead against the Colts with a fast start and rest players late.
Colts Rule Out Sauce Gardner, 3 Others
GettySauce Gardner #1 of the Indianapolis Colts reacts against the Houston Texans.
Like the Texans with Lassiter, the Colts only ruled out one starter, Sauce Gardner, who also plays the cornerback position.
Their other three players who are out are all backups. That includes Anthony Richardson, the No. 4 overall pick of the 2023 draft. That is the same class in which the Texans selected Stroud second-overall.
The Colts already announced that rookie Riley Leonard will be QB1 over Philip Rivers.
Texans Make Critical Decision on Playmaking ‘Dawg’ Before Colts Game