The Houston Texans used an early fourth-quarter touchdown run by wide receiver Nico Collins to go ahead and, ultimately, defeat the Indianapolis Colts, 20-16.

Houston picked up its fourth-straight win to remain hot, and its defense played a key role down the stretch. After the Texans needed just one yard for a first down, the Colts earned two consecutive stops on third and fourth down to get the ball back with five minutes remaining.

The Colts advanced the ball into Houston territory with hopes of regaining the lead, but the Texans turned Indianapolis over on downs with just under two minutes remaining. Then Houston ran out the clock to seal the win.

Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud finished 22-of-35 for 276 yards and one interception, while Collins caught five passes for 98 yards. Colts quarterback Daniel Jones finished with 201 yards and two touchdowns.

Indianapolis has now lost three of its past four games, and the Colts lost cornerback Sauce Gardner to a calf injury in the first quarter.

C.J. Stroud returns, leads Texans to narrow victory

C.J. Stroud returned from a three-game absence due to a concussion and had an up-and-down performance Sunday. Colts safety Cam Bynum picked Stroud off in the second quarter, and Jones threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Alec Pierce three plays later.

However, after his shaky start, Stroud and the Texans still did enough to hang on for a huge victory that will have big implications on the AFC South title race. Houston held Indianapolis, which entered Week 13 as the highest scoring team in the NFL at 31.0 points per game, to a season-low 16 points. That marked the first time the Colts have failed to score at least 20 points this season. — James Boyd, Colts beat writer

Daniel Jones plays through leg fracture

Jones is reportedly playing through a fibula fracture, and in his first game since the details of his injury broke, Jones took his share of punishment. He was hit three times and sacked once. Texans defensive tackle Tim Settle Jr. was also flagged for roughing the passer in the fourth quarter after diving into Jones’ legs after he’d already thrown the ball.

Despite not being 100 percent, Jones still put together a respectable performance. The veteran didn’t have a turnover for the second straight game. Pierce was Jones’ top target Sunday, totaling four catches for 78 yards. Rookie tight end Tyler Warren also notched his fourth receiving touchdown of the year after scoring on a 12-yard reception in the third quarter. — Boyd

Questionable call

With the Texans facing third-and-15 from the Indianapolis 25-yard line, Colts cornerback Kenny Moore II was flagged for defensive pass interference on Texans wideout Xavier Hutchinson, which gave Houston an automatic first down. However, the replay showed that Moore hardly touched Hutchinson’s arm as Hutchinson tried to break inside on his route. Hutchinson appeared to lose his footing, and after he slipped to the ground, that’s when the flag was thrown.

Furthermore, on the defensive pass interference penalty, it appeared Houston may have snapped the ball after the play clock ran out. Colts fans booed the officials after the questionable call, and four plays later, Collins scored on the 7-yard carry to give Houston a 20-13 lead early in the fourth quarter. — Boyd

Sauce Gardner injury huge loss for Colts defense

Gardner played just two defensive snaps Sunday before leaving the game with a left calf injury. The two-time All-Pro, whom the Colts traded for last month, came up lame after Stroud completed a 12-yard pass to wide receiver Jayden Higgins. Gardner was not really involved in the play since he was being blocked by tight end Cade Stover.

Gardner was unable to walk off the field on his own, and trainers helped him to the medical tent on the sideline before heading to the locker room. The veteran eventually returned to the sideline wearing a boot on his lower left leg/foot and using crutches.

Gardner’s absence is a huge blow for a Colts defense that can’t quite seem to get whole. Gardner and fellow cornerback Charvarius Ward Sr., who was a second-team All-Pro in 2023, have only played one full game together, which was in last week’s loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Ward had previously been on injured reserve due to a concussion.

What’s more, the Colts’ two-time All-Pro defensive tackle, DeForest Buckner, is on IR due to a neck injury. The earliest he could return is in Week 15 against the Seattle Seahawks.  — Boyd