Joel A. Erickson
@joelaerickson.bsky.social
Colts insider for @IndyStar. FOX59/CBS4 analyst. Husband, father, goldendoodle owner, Mizzou & SJI alum. Psalms 73:26
Josh Downs pretty frustrated with himself after the two drops on Sunday, especially the third down on the final drive.
December 1, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Josh Downs pretty frustrated with himself after the two drops on Sunday, especially the third down on the final drive.
Steichen: "He's going to miss some time. How much, I don't know." Does say the Colts expect Gardner back before the end of the season.
December 1, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Steichen: "He's going to miss some time. How much, I don't know." Does say the Colts expect Gardner back before the end of the season.
Shane Steichen reiterates that Sauce Gardner's Achilles is "good to go," it's his calf, but he doesn't have a timetable for return yet.
December 1, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Shane Steichen reiterates that Sauce Gardner's Achilles is "good to go," it's his calf, but he doesn't have a timetable for return yet.
The Colts went with Michael Badgley in an emergency because they believed he'd be reliable inside 50 yards.
Badgley hasn't been. Indianapolis has a decision to make.
www.indystar.com/story/sports...
Badgley hasn't been. Indianapolis has a decision to make.
www.indystar.com/story/sports...
Do Colts need to make a change at kicker after Michael Badgley misses PAT?
Michael Badgley's missed PAT left the Colts needing a touchdown instead of a field goal in Sunday's 20-16
www.indystar.com
December 1, 2025 at 1:01 AM
The Colts went with Michael Badgley in an emergency because they believed he'd be reliable inside 50 yards.
Badgley hasn't been. Indianapolis has a decision to make.
www.indystar.com/story/sports...
Badgley hasn't been. Indianapolis has a decision to make.
www.indystar.com/story/sports...
The referee answers on the delay of game, Moore call and the extra point
November 30, 2025 at 10:22 PM
The referee answers on the delay of game, Moore call and the extra point
Gardner left the locker room using crutches but he was putting weight on his leg
November 30, 2025 at 9:38 PM
Gardner left the locker room using crutches but he was putting weight on his leg
Sauce Gardner says he felt pain high in his calf, so he doesn’t think it’s the worst-case scenario.
“I don’t think that’s what it is” on a question about if it’s the Achilles
“I don’t think that’s what it is” on a question about if it’s the Achilles
November 30, 2025 at 9:33 PM
Sauce Gardner says he felt pain high in his calf, so he doesn’t think it’s the worst-case scenario.
“I don’t think that’s what it is” on a question about if it’s the Achilles
“I don’t think that’s what it is” on a question about if it’s the Achilles
No further details from the Colts on Sauce Gardner’s calf injury
November 30, 2025 at 9:16 PM
No further details from the Colts on Sauce Gardner’s calf injury
That's back-to-back catches on third and fourth down that it feels like Downs and Pittman had to have.
November 30, 2025 at 8:54 PM
That's back-to-back catches on third and fourth down that it feels like Downs and Pittman had to have.
Enormous stop by the Indianapolis defense.
Colts have a chance here. Offense has to take advantage.
Colts have a chance here. Offense has to take advantage.
November 30, 2025 at 8:41 PM
Enormous stop by the Indianapolis defense.
Colts have a chance here. Offense has to take advantage.
Colts have a chance here. Offense has to take advantage.
Very loud, clear "Ref, you suck!" chant from Lucas Oil Stadium.
The booing is loud, sustained and at every opportunity.
The booing is loud, sustained and at every opportunity.
November 30, 2025 at 8:23 PM
Very loud, clear "Ref, you suck!" chant from Lucas Oil Stadium.
The booing is loud, sustained and at every opportunity.
The booing is loud, sustained and at every opportunity.
That's an awful call on Kenny Moore II. Awful.
November 30, 2025 at 8:16 PM
That's an awful call on Kenny Moore II. Awful.
End of the third quarter: Colts 13, Texans 13.
Houston driving again.
Houston driving again.
November 30, 2025 at 8:10 PM
End of the third quarter: Colts 13, Texans 13.
Houston driving again.
Houston driving again.
Even the blitzes aren't getting anywhere for the Colts defense today.
November 30, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Even the blitzes aren't getting anywhere for the Colts defense today.
Colts 13, Texans 13.
Daniel Jones has been pretty darn good today. And motioning Warren to an offset I, then slipping him out for the TD, was a lot of fun.
Daniel Jones has been pretty darn good today. And motioning Warren to an offset I, then slipping him out for the TD, was a lot of fun.
November 30, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Colts 13, Texans 13.
Daniel Jones has been pretty darn good today. And motioning Warren to an offset I, then slipping him out for the TD, was a lot of fun.
Daniel Jones has been pretty darn good today. And motioning Warren to an offset I, then slipping him out for the TD, was a lot of fun.
A holding penalty on Bernhard Raimann erases an absolutely gorgeous throw and catch from Jones to Downs.
November 30, 2025 at 8:01 PM
A holding penalty on Bernhard Raimann erases an absolutely gorgeous throw and catch from Jones to Downs.
The Colts have 1 sack and 2 quarterback hits, and I don't have the numbers in front of me, but it feels like C.J. Stroud isn't getting it out all that quick.
Kind of feels like that's what this whole defensive performance boils down to.
Kind of feels like that's what this whole defensive performance boils down to.
November 30, 2025 at 7:49 PM
The Colts have 1 sack and 2 quarterback hits, and I don't have the numbers in front of me, but it feels like C.J. Stroud isn't getting it out all that quick.
Kind of feels like that's what this whole defensive performance boils down to.
Kind of feels like that's what this whole defensive performance boils down to.
November 30, 2025 at 7:40 PM
November 30, 2025 at 7:35 PM
Texans 10, Colts 6.
Real ugly football game so far.
If you've got questions, I'll answer them over at the IndyStar #AskJoel
www.indystar.com/story/sports...
Real ugly football game so far.
If you've got questions, I'll answer them over at the IndyStar #AskJoel
www.indystar.com/story/sports...
Ask IndyStar's Joel A. Erickson anything about Sunday's Colts vs Texans game
Colts' game vs the Texans is their 1st of 4 against AFC South rivals in final 6 weeks of season. IndyStar's Joel A. Erickson answers your questions
www.indystar.com
November 30, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Texans 10, Colts 6.
Real ugly football game so far.
If you've got questions, I'll answer them over at the IndyStar #AskJoel
www.indystar.com/story/sports...
Real ugly football game so far.
If you've got questions, I'll answer them over at the IndyStar #AskJoel
www.indystar.com/story/sports...
Colts 6, Texans 3.
Michael Badgley's misses are a definite problem... But don't let that distract you from a sublime Daniel Jones throw and an even better Alec Pierce catch.
Michael Badgley's misses are a definite problem... But don't let that distract you from a sublime Daniel Jones throw and an even better Alec Pierce catch.
November 30, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Colts 6, Texans 3.
Michael Badgley's misses are a definite problem... But don't let that distract you from a sublime Daniel Jones throw and an even better Alec Pierce catch.
Michael Badgley's misses are a definite problem... But don't let that distract you from a sublime Daniel Jones throw and an even better Alec Pierce catch.
Sauce Gardner is out for the game
November 30, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Sauce Gardner is out for the game
End of the first quarter: Texans 3, Colts 0.
Indianapolis is averaging 1.8 yards per play. That will not get it done.
Indianapolis is averaging 1.8 yards per play. That will not get it done.
November 30, 2025 at 6:43 PM
End of the first quarter: Texans 3, Colts 0.
Indianapolis is averaging 1.8 yards per play. That will not get it done.
Indianapolis is averaging 1.8 yards per play. That will not get it done.
Texans 3, Colts 0.
Indianapolis pass rush needs to be better than it was on that drive if the Colts are going to win this.
Indianapolis pass rush needs to be better than it was on that drive if the Colts are going to win this.
November 30, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Texans 3, Colts 0.
Indianapolis pass rush needs to be better than it was on that drive if the Colts are going to win this.
Indianapolis pass rush needs to be better than it was on that drive if the Colts are going to win this.