Offensively, the Texans will get back to their old running game with Vonta Leach leading the way for Steve Slaton. Slaton had just four carries last week because coach Gary Kubiak said he was resting his "worn down" rookie. This week, expect Slaton to get his typical amount of carries and for Ahman Green to get more into the mix. The Texans will want to try to get back to running the ball.

PLAYER NOTES

--QB Matt Schaub (torn MCL) is not yet close to practicing. He has not even been cleared yet by the doctors to make the trip to Indianapolis this weekend with the team. He will likely miss about three more starts.

--DT Amobi Okoye (ankle) is unlikely to play again this week. He has made little progress.

--RB Steve Slaton is expected to get the bulk of the carries again, but he will split them with Ahman Green. The coaches rested Slaton last week because they thought he was getting worn down.

--FS Will Demps will likely be inactive again. He was the team's starter for the second half of last season and the first quarter of this season. But now he's inactive as the coaches get Dominique Barber more involved, especially on special teams.

--WR Andre' Davis (finger) is likely another week away from returning to the field. He is being eased back into practice, but he isn't likely to play this week.

--LB Morlon Greenwood (ankle) was held out of practice Wednesday. He is still very sore and may miss his start this week.

--CB Antwaun Molden is expected to start seeing time on defense. The coaches are working to start including him in a limited role with the other cornerbacks.

GAME PLAN: The Texans must try to run the ball, but it won't be as easy as it was last time out. The Colts have improved against the run with the return of Bob Sanders in the secondary. The defensive line and linebackers are playing much better as well. The Texans have struggled the past two weeks, but they were playing against two of the better run defenses in the league. Their focus will be on having a much more balanced offensive attack. And they will not likely give up on the run as early as they have in recent games.

Defensively, the Texans will try to get after Peyton Manning so he can't get too comfortable in the pocket. They will mostly do it with a four-man rush though. When the Texans try to rush more than four, they usually get burned for big plays. The secondary will be working to eliminate the big plays. They must also tackle better. Last week, the defense overall was confused often by the Ravens offense. The Texans cannot let a similar issue plague them this week.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH: Texans WR Andre Johnson vs. Colts CB Marlin Jackson. The last time these two teams played, Johnson had a breakout game with nine catches for 131 yards and a touchdown. It started off his October hot streak. The Colts will likely be more prepared this time, especially after watching the last two Texans opponents hold Johnson to under 70 yards receiving.

Texans RB Steve Slaton vs. Colts MLB Gary Brackett. Slaton will be trying to make his way past the defensive linemen and past Brackett, who currently leads the team with 80 tackles. Slaton had just four carries last weekend in an attempt to rest him because he was worn down, according to the coaches. Now, they will find out if their strategy pays off. Last time out against the Colts, he had 16 carries for 93 yards and two touchdowns.

Texans QB Sage Rosenfels vs. Colts DE Dwight Freeney. Freeney is coming off a two-sack performance against Pittsburgh. Prior to that, his most recent sack came in Houston when he knocked down Rosenfels. LT Duane Brown is playing better the past two weeks, but Freeney will be ready to chase down Rosenfels and the Texans cannot afford to give him the opportunity. Rosenfels will have to get rid of the ball faster than he did this past week. An improved running game will also help.

INJURY IMPACT: QB Matt Schaub (torn MCL) is not yet close to practicing. He has not even been cleared yet by the doctors to make the trip to Indianapolis this weekend with the team. He will likely miss about three more starts.

--WR Andre' Davis (finger) was catching passes but was limited in practice. He may be able to play this week.

--DT Amobi Okoye (ankle) is not much better than he was late last week. The Texans are concerned that he may miss another start.

--LB Morlon Greenwood (ankle) was held out of practice Wednesday. He is still very sore and may miss his start this week.