One would figure the least of the Houston Texans’ worries in 2024 is the passing game.Yet last week, the inability to pass or protect quarterback C.J. Stroud was the major reason that Houston lost at Green Bay. Stroud threw for just 86 yards, which most weeks for him is a good quarter, and absorbed four sacks in a 24-22 setback.The Texans will look to fix those issues Sunday when they host the Indianapolis Colts in an AFC South showdown. With Jacksonville struggling at 2-5 and Tennessee renting the basement at 1-5, Houston (5-2) has a chance to take complete control of the division if it defeats Indianapolis (4-3) for the second time this season.But before the Texans can earn that right, second-year coach DeMeco Ryans knows Stroud, the offensive line and his receivers must bounce back.”Of course, protection. Also, the routes. We had some plays. We dropped a pass. We dropped a touchdown pass,” Ryans said. “Everything is on the table.”Although last week’s performance represented a career low total, Stroud still is hitting 66.4 percent of his passes for 1,663 yards and 10 touchdowns with four interceptions. Stefon Diggs has 42 catches to lead the team, but Houston has to play without Nico Collins (club-best 567 yards in five games), who remains on injured reserve with a hamstring problem.The absence of Collins has to thrill the Colts, a team he’s carved up recently. In a season-opening 29-27 victory last month in Indianapolis, Collins bagged six catches for 117 yards, taking advantage of the attention lavished on Diggs.While the Texans try to fix their aerial attack, the Colts appear to be trending in the right direction in the standings and the injury report. Not only have they won consecutive games, including last week’s 16-10 decision over Miami, but it appears they might get running back Jonathan Taylor (ankle) back after a three-game absence.Taylor practiced Wednesday, the first time he’s been able to make that claim since going on the shelf. Even though it was in a limited realm, it’s a development that Colts coach Shane Steichen regards as a good sign.
