RADIO
The fantasy stock is way down for the entire Indianapolis Colts team. T.Y. Hilton was the only standout last week from a fantasy perspective, while the rest of the team didn’t even warrant a start. There certainly aren't any must-starts for the fantasy playoffs this week as they battle the Houston Texans for the AFC South lead.
Matt Hasselbeck did return to practice on Thursday despite dealing with an arm and shoulder injury from the blows he took last Sunday during the blowout loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, according to The Indianapolis Star. The 40-year-old sat out Wednesday for what was considered a maintenance day. It appears as if he’ll be good to go against the Texans. Even if you have Hasselbeck on your fantasy roster, don’t start him. He’s surprisingly put up some solid fantasy numbers earlier in the season, but now is coming off a combined 14 fantasy points over the last two weeks. He threw two touchdowns with zero interceptions Week 5 against the Texans but this isn’t the same Texans team that he played back then. The Colts have allowed 31 fantasy points to defenses over the last two weeks combined, mostly because of eight sacks, three interceptions, two fumble recoveries and three defensive/special teams touchdowns. Houston has had somewhat of setback lately but this game has so much meaning because both teams are tied at the top of the division. Good luck, Hasselbeck.
Andrew Luck did practice on Wednesday and Thursday. Even though he’s finally back out there with his teammates, Colts coach Chuck Pagano told the Indianapolis Star that Luck won’t play this week. He said that he needs a full week of practice and won’t play any games with the Texans that there’s even a chance that Luck will return for the first time since Week 9 from his kidney injury.
“My kidney is not fully healed,” Luck told The Star. “And that does not allow me to be in a position with contact that could further injure myself worse.”
Luck was hopeful of being out there in such an important showdown. Instead, he’ll be holding the clipboard from the sidelines.
“Obviously, disappointing,” Luck said about not being able to play. “Every game you don’t play is a disappointment. You want to get back as soon as you can. I wouldn’t say I’m surprised — you stick to the process — but I’m disappointed, sure.”
Donte Moncrief remained sidelined on Thursday because of a foot injury. He’s been spotted wearing a walking boot. There’s a good chance he won’t be in the lineup this week, which is bad news for Hasselbeck and the Colts. It’s been and up and down season for Moncrief, and if he isn’t out there, the Texans could have it easy with Hilton as the only legit threat against them.
