AFC South Notes: Colts, Texans, Titans

Colts

Colts backup QB Brian Hoyer didn’t join the team until after the preseason when Indianapolis was searching for a new No. 2 passer following Andrew Luck‘s retirement and Jacoby Brissett‘s promotion. Given that backups typically don’t take a lot of reps during the week, that put him even further behind than usual when he had to step in for Brissett on Sunday in the Colts’ 26-24 loss to the Steelers. 

“What a lot of people don’t know is that probably 98 percent of the plays he ran today, it was probably his first time running them,” Colts WR Chester Rogers said via the Athletic’s Stephen Holder. “It’s true. He’s mainly on the scout team [during practice], giving the defense a look. He’s a baller.”

• Colts second-round rookie WR Parris Campbell will have surgery to repair a hand fracture and will miss some time, but will not be placed on injured reserve. (Kevin Bowen)
• Brissett is optimistic about being able to play next week despite having a sprained MCL, per Colts HC Frank Reich: “I was a little encouraged, but we’ll just see how it goes.” (Holder)
• Reich said if Brissett can’t play the team will promote QB Chad Kelly from the practice squad to back up Hoyer. (Bowen)
• Reich called Colts K Adam Vinatieri‘s missed game-winning field goal on Sunday a fluke: “I think we all saw it. He got the laces. It was a fluke…It made it a lot tougher on Adam.” (Bowen)

Texans

Texans QB Deshaun Watson has shown off his ability as one of the NFL’s best escape artists so far this season, highlighted by last week’s game-winning touchdown pass that came after getting kicked in the eye by a Raiders defender. Despite an eye that’s still swollen, Watson pulled off another Houdini-act in Sunday’s win against the Jaguars and says he’s not looking to dial those back anytime soon. 

“There’s no limits on that,” Watson said via the Houston Chronicle’s Aaron Wilson. “There’s a lot of football left, a lot of opportunities left, so there’s going to be a lot more. A lot more fun plays and a lot more crazy throws and all kinds of stuff. I just kind of react. The more people try to get me down, the more crazy it will get for sure.”

Titans

• According to ESPN’s Turron Davenport, multiple sources confirmed Titans CB Malcolm Butler has a broken wrist and Titans HC Mike Vrabel added it was possible Butler is done for the rest of the season. 
• Titans TE Delanie Walker, who has missed the past two games, said the training staff has been extra cautious with his ankle injury given his dislocation last year. (Davenport)