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Colts DE Laiatu Latu returns to field vs. Texans after chest injury
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- Colts DE Laiatu Latu returns to field vs. Texans after chest injury
INDIANAPOLIS — Colts defensive end Laiatu Latu has returned to Sunday's critical game against the Texans .
Latu suffered a chest injury after taking down Houston quarterback CJ Stroud to force an incomplete pass early in the first quarter. He was questionable to return but got back on the field on the Texans ' first drive of the second half.
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Latu immediately reacted in pain, grabbing at his midsection and going back to the ground. A Colts teammate signaled for the trainers, and by the time they got out to the field, Latu was able to get up and run off the field.
Indianapolis Colts cornerback Sauce Gardner (1) warms up Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
Fans take their seats on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, ahead of the game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts safety Camryn Bynum (0) warms up Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon walks the sideline Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Deion Burks (80) warms up Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen watches Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
Simone Biles (left) kisses her husband Indianapolis Colts safety Jonathan Owens (38) on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Riley Leonard (15) warms up Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) warms up Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
Chip Ganassi Racing driver Álex Palou watches from the sidelines Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. (5) greets center Tanor Bortolini (60) on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon signs an item for a fan Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt (29) looks up at the stands Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
Simone Biles (left) greets her husband Indianapolis Colts safety Jonathan Owens (38) on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
Fans take their seats on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, ahead of the game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
Kalen Jackson, Indianapolis Colts owner and chief brand officer, walks the sideline Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
Fans take their seats on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, ahead of the game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
Simone Biles poses for a photo Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
The roof and windows are open Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts fans ‘The Clown’ poses for a photo on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, ahead of the game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
Fans take their seats on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, ahead of the game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
Fans take their seats on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, ahead of the game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
Fans take their seats on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, ahead of the game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
Jacob Bardtmueller from New Haven watches from the stands on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, ahead of the game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
Fans take their seats on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, ahead of the game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
Fans take their seats on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, ahead of the game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
1
/26
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Texans in NFL Week 3
Indianapolis Colts cornerback Sauce Gardner (1) warms up Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
1
/26
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Texans in NFL Week 3
Indianapolis Colts cornerback Sauce Gardner (1) warms up Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
2
/26
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Texans in NFL Week 3
Fans take their seats on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, ahead of the game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
3
/26
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Texans in NFL Week 3
Indianapolis Colts safety Camryn Bynum (0) warms up Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
4
/26
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Texans in NFL Week 3
Indianapolis Colts owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon walks the sideline Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
5
/26
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Texans in NFL Week 3
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Deion Burks (80) warms up Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
6
/26
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Texans in NFL Week 3
Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen watches Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
7
/26
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Texans in NFL Week 3
Simone Biles (left) kisses her husband Indianapolis Colts safety Jonathan Owens (38) on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
8
/26
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Texans in NFL Week 3
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Riley Leonard (15) warms up Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
9
/26
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Texans in NFL Week 3
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) warms up Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
10
/26
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Texans in NFL Week 3
Chip Ganassi Racing driver Álex Palou watches from the sidelines Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
11
/26
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Texans in NFL Week 3
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. (5) greets center Tanor Bortolini (60) on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
12
/26
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Texans in NFL Week 3
Indianapolis Colts owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon signs an item for a fan Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
13
/26
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Texans in NFL Week 3
Indianapolis Colts cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt (29) looks up at the stands Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
14
/26
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Texans in NFL Week 3
Simone Biles (left) greets her husband Indianapolis Colts safety Jonathan Owens (38) on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
15
/26
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Texans in NFL Week 3
Fans take their seats on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, ahead of the game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
16
/26
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Texans in NFL Week 3
Kalen Jackson, Indianapolis Colts owner and chief brand officer, walks the sideline Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
17
/26
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Texans in NFL Week 3
Fans take their seats on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, ahead of the game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
18
/26
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Texans in NFL Week 3
Simone Biles poses for a photo Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
19
/26
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Texans in NFL Week 3
The roof and windows are open Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
20
/26
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Texans in NFL Week 3
Indianapolis Colts fans ‘The Clown’ poses for a photo on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, ahead of the game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
21
/26
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Texans in NFL Week 3
Fans take their seats on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, ahead of the game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
22
/26
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Texans in NFL Week 3
Fans take their seats on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, ahead of the game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
23
/26
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Texans in NFL Week 3
Fans take their seats on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, ahead of the game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
24
/26
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Texans in NFL Week 3
Jacob Bardtmueller from New Haven watches from the stands on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, ahead of the game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
25
/26
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Texans in NFL Week 3
Fans take their seats on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, ahead of the game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
26
/26
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Texans in NFL Week 3
Fans take their seats on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, ahead of the game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
From the way Latu ran, though, it was clear that he was still in pain — he held his left arm to his midsection the entire way off the field.
Team doctors examined Latu in the blue tent the Colts use for on-field examinations.
Latu has only a half a sack on the season, and he has struggled to provide immediate pressure, but the third-year defensive end led the team with eight pressures after the first two weeks, according to the NFL's Next Gen Stats.
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With Latu out of action, the Colts turned to second-year defensive end Jaylahn Tuimoloau at defensive end on the first couple of third downs after Latu's injury. Rookie Caden Curry, a Center Grove product, will also likely get more time after playing 10 snaps on the defense through the first two weeks.
Joel A. Erickson and Nathan Brown cover the Colts all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Colts Insider newsletter .
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Colts DE Laiatu Latu returns to field vs. Texans after chest injury
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