Offensively, the Texans will start Steve Slaton for the third week in a row at running back. Ahman Green may make his first appearance since Week 1. With Chris Taylor nursing a sore quad and Green's ankle improving, Green could play more than Taylor this week.

PLAYER NOTES

--RB Ahman Green (ankle) will likely be able to play this week. He practiced with the first team Wednesday for the first time since Week 1 when he was hurt. He will be expected to back up Steve Slaton.

--FS Will Demps (hamstring) did not practice Wednesday, but with C.C. Brown out for the season with a fractured forearm, the Texans are counting on Demps to be healthy and start Sunday.

--LB DeMeco Ryans (ankle) did not practice Wednesday, but he hasn't missed a start and he's played through major injuries in the past. He will likely be at 80 percent Sunday.

--RB Chris Taylor (quad) did not practice Wednesday. The Texans hope that if he's not close to 100 percent, Ahman Green will be able to play backup in his place to Steve Slaton.

--TE Mark Bruener (hamstring) is being eased back into practice. He may be available this week. He hasn't played since the first week of the season.

GAME PLAN: Defensively, the Texans will try to blitz Peyton Manning and rush his passes. So far, Mario Williams has been the only one able to consistently get pressure on opposing quarterbacks. The Texans will try to bring in Chaun Thompson for more pressure and N.D. Kalu.

Offensively, the Texans want to pick up where they left off. They will need solid pass protection and they will focus on running the ball. The Colts' run defense has had a number of holes lately, and the Texans want to try to control the clock by running the ball and keeping the ball out of the hands of Manning and the offense.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH: Texans RB Steve Slaton vs. Colts defensive tackles. The rookie running back should have an edge here. The Colts have allowed almost an average of 200 rushing yards per game in their first three games. Their defensive tackles have struggled to slow backs and their linebackers are struggling as well. Slaton often likes to bounce off the first defender and jump to the outside, but he may find his greatest success against the Colts by running straight up the middle.

Colts TE Dallas Clark vs. Texans SAM LB Zac Diles. The Texans will have their hands full with one of the league's best tight ends. Clark has gotten off to a slow start this season after an injury knocked him out midway through the season opener and then all of Week 2. But Clark is poised to be one of Peyton Manning's favorite targets this week. Diles will not have faced another tight end of Clark's caliber as a starter yet. He will have to stay on top of his assignments and can't give Clark much breathing room.

INJURY IMPACT: RB Ahman Green (ankle) will likely be able to play this week. He practiced with the first team Wednesday for the first time since Week 1 when he was hurt. He will be expected to backup Steve Slaton.

FS Will Demps (hamstring) did not practice Wednesday, but with C.C. Brown out for the season with a fractured forearm, the Texans are counting on Demps to be healthy and start Sunday.

LB DeMeco Ryans (ankle) did not practice Wednesday, but he hasn't missed a start and he's played through major injuries in the past. He will likely be at 80 percent Sunday.

RB Chris Taylor (quad) did not practice Wednesday. The Texans hope that if he's not close to 100 percent, Ahman Green will be able to play backup in his place to Steve Slaton.

TE Mark Bruener (hamstring) is being eased back into practice. He may be available this week. He hasn't played since the first week of the season.