Colts RB Jonathan Taylor (ankle) slated to return vs. Texans

Indianapolis Colts star running back Jonathan Taylor is expected to play against the Houston Texans on Sunday after missing three games with an ankle injury.

Taylor was a full practice participant on Friday and wasn't given an injury status.

Standout defensive tackle DeForest Buckner (ankle) sat out practice Friday and was listed as questionable. He has missed the past five contests.

Indianapolis coach Shane Steichen is anticipating both players will be on the field against the host Texans.

"Getting those two guys back, if they're ready to roll, it'll be huge," Steichen said. "They're two really talented players that help us tremendously on both sides of the football. So, it'll be good to see where that goes."

Though Taylor hasn't played this month, he still leads the Colts in carries (72), rushing yards (349) and rushing touchdowns (four). He had two 100-yard outings in four games before getting injured.

Taylor, 25, has rushed for 4,931 yards and 44 touchdowns in 57 games (52 starts) over five NFL seasons. He led the NFL with 1,811 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2021 when he was a Pro Bowl pick and first-team All-Pro selection.

Buckner, 30, had missed just two games in nine NFL seasons before the current five-game absence.

Buckner is a three-time Pro Bowl selection and also was a first-team All-Pro in 2020, his first season with the Colts. He was second-team All-Pro in 2019 during the last of his four seasons with the San Francisco 49ers.

Buckner has 62.5 career sacks, 10 fumble recoveries, nine forced fumbles and 551 career tackles in 131 games (126 starts). He has 1.5 sacks in two games (one start) this season.

Defensive end Genard Avery (foot) and linebacker Jaylon Carlies (fibula, shoulder) were ruled out for the Colts.

--Field Level Media