Could the Indianapolis Colts be forced to rely on their third string quarterback Josh Johnson in their Thursday Night Football matchup versus the Houston Texans?
Starter Andrew Luck is still limited and is no sure bet for Thursday evening. He told reporters on Tuesday that he is “preparing to start and to play” but also admitted that he still isn’t 100 percent due to the slight separation he sustained in his right shoulder during Week 3.
Adding more questions to the situation is backup quarterback Matthew Hasselbeck also being questionable with an undisclosed illness. The veteran played adequately and managed a win over the Jacksonville Jaguars last Sunday. The rocky status for both quarterbacks prompted the Colts to re-sign Johnson on Wednesday.
Even though Luck has encountered some struggles—especially as it pertains to turnovers—the Colts need him back. However, it may behoove the Colts to let Luck sit out and rest, which would give him 10 days to heal prior to facing the rival New England Patriots in Week 6.
It might be best to put the team’s long-term goal of making it to the playoffs in the forefront and work towards getting their face of the franchise back to 100 percent.
If, for some reason, the Colts find themselves starting Johnson on Thursday, he has only five career starts—all losses—over his seven-year NFL career.