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Matt Hasselbeck to Start For the Colts

By Dave McKee

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Oct 4, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (8) throws a pass for a touchdown against Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Paul Posluszny (51) at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Matt Hasselbeck will start his second game in a row for the Colts. The Colts have chosen to go with the ill over the ailing as they rest Luck’s shoulder.

Matt Hasselbeck is the starter for tonight. The speculation is over. The Indianapolis Colts will play on Thursday Night football against the Houston Texas without Andrew Luck. For the Colts, defeating Jacksonville without Luck on the field may have been what the doctor ordered to cure their offensive woes. Now, if Luck’s right shoulder can be cured the Colts will be good to go.

–= Related: Luck is Hurt So Who’s to Blame? =–

Offensively, the scheme the Colts ran against the Titans with Matt Hasselbeck under center is also the best scenario for Andrew Luck’s success under center this season. The trouble is that both Luck and Hasselbeck are questionable for tonight’s game against the Texans.

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Luck has his shoulder injury and Hasselbeck missed practice on Tuesday due to a stomach virus. The Colts re-signed

Josh Johnson

on Wednesday which was a further indication that there was at least a concern with either Hasselbeck or Luck playing tonight.

According to a series of tweets from NFL Insider Adam Schefter, Hasselbeck will start but Luck has not yet been designated as inactive.

Hasselbeck’s illness forced him to go to the emergency room at 2 a.m. on Tuesday, and as indicated, he has not thrown this week. Hasselbeck had a great showing against Jacksonville and I’d be confident with him playing against Houston except for the fact that he has been afflicted with the stomach virus. Additionally, the Colts are 9-0 since the advent of Thursday Night Football. Now, with a 40-year-old backup, who is sick, starting on the road in Houston makes the outlook of this game less than promising.

Should Matt Hasselbeck’s illness get the best of him the Colts do have Josh Johnson listed as active. Luck will throw in pre-game and has not been designated as inactive, but if the Colts are unsure of his injury they are better off to let the arm rest another 10 days until they faceoff against the Patriots on October 18th.

However, if Matt Hasselbeck can hold his water and the Colts stick to a short receiving route-tree they do have enough weapons to beat the Texans. After all, the Colts defense will be facing a struggling Ryan Mallett and a recovering Arian Foster who is still getting his legs under him after having a groin surgery during the preseason. The Colts run defense has improved. The return of Greg Toler to the secondary will likely decrease the Texans ability to get chunk yards down the sideline with both Toler and Vontae Davis active.

If the Colts offensive line can hold off Jadaveon Clowney, Vince Wilfork and J.J. Watt for 2.5 to 3.0 seconds each play the Colts can win. Either way it’s going to be a grinder folks we will just have to see what happens. The key is to survive another game on the road in the division and get Luck healthy before week 6. Kickoff is slated for 8:25 pm tonight.

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