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Colts defensive lineman Eric Foster is facing sexual assault allegations in a civil suit stemming from an incident alleged to have unfolded at the team hotel in the early morning hours before the AFC Championship Game.

It’s a civil, not a criminal case, because it was botched by authorities, the woman’s lawyer told the Chicago Sun-Times.

The Colts have declined comment.

The Colts have typically steered clear of off-the-field incidents, putting a large emphasis on character.

Defensive tackle Ed Johnson, who had an especially short leash, was promptly kicked off the team in 2008 after he was charged with marijuana possession. Brought back in 2009, he didn’t last long, but that time the team said it was over conditioning and performance.

It’s unclear what the team knew about the accusations against Foster and when. The timing of the suit making it to court is also not yet apparent.

But these days an NFL franchise’s security department is surprised by little. I expect Colts president Bill Polian and the NFL have known the details for some time.

League spokesman Greg Aiello said it was “not relevant” when the NFL became aware of the allegations and that “we will look at the facts but will not speculate what, if any, action could be taken” under the personal conduct policy.

It’s terrible if true, of course, and we need to hear from IUPUI officials about how things were handled at the time of the accusation.

For the time being, we have to give Foster the benefit of the doubt and the presumption of innocence.

The Colts might have been ready to take a defensive tackle for depth in the draft anyway. Now if they do, we'll be wondering if it has anything to do with the case against Foster.

Houston Texans

Brian Baldinger says Bob McNair is satisfied with mediocrity, notes Alan Burge.

Three useless predictions from Battle Red Blog.

Could Dunta Robinson really be franchised again, asks Battle Red Blog.

Indianapolis Colts

Melvin Bullitt is giving his AFC championship ring to his dad, says Phillip B. Wilson.

Breaking down the running backs with John Oehser.

Oehser on team of the decade talk and Ed Johnson surfacing in Carolina.

A look at Indy’s special-teams issues and how Javier Arenas could fix them, from Mike Tanier.

How the Colts’ salary structure hurts them, from Deshawn Zombie.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Running through the Jaguars’ question mark players with Anthony DiGeorgio.

Comparing the 10th pick to the 11th pick in recent drafts with Brian Fullford.

Uche Nwaneri got a lot better, says Terry O’Brien.

Tennessee Titans

Eugene Amano’s deal is for five years and $27.5 million, with $12 million this year and $18 million in the first three years, reports Jim Wyatt. Yet I’ll get e-mails this week about how cheap the Titans are.

Former Titan Peter Sirmon is joining the University of Tennessee staff as a graduate assistant, says Wyatt.

INDIANAPOLIS -- The 2009 Indianapolis Colts needed to be stouter.

Item No. 1 on virtually every team's list of needs after the 2008 season was defensive tackle. A new head coach with a new defensive coordinator would still want quick interior linemen, but a little more beef would help the team better tamp down the run.

Thus, the Colts selected Fili Moala out of USC in the second round of the 2009 draft. They grabbed Terrance Taylor from Michigan in the fourth round. They recruited Adrian Grady from Louisville as an undrafted free agent. They ultimately brought back veteran Ed Johnson, who had been waived early in the 2008 season.

Things were going to appear a whole lot different between veteran defensive ends Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis.

Months later, here stand the Colts, a game away from their second Super Bowl in four seasons. The three defensive tackles who will key the run-stopping efforts Sunday against the New York Jets in the AFC Championship Game are... the same three guys they intended to replace with upgrades.

New York has a Pro Bowl center in Nick Mangold and a Pro Bowl left guard in Alan Faneca, two key pieces of an offensive line that blocks for the NFL’s top rushing team. The Colts will counter with starting defensive tackles Antonio Johnson, Daniel Muir and Eric Foster as the primary changeup.

Of all the "upgrades," only second-rounder Moala stuck -- and he's inactive when the guys ahead of him are healthy.

The three holdovers are used to beating long odds. Antonio Johnson was signed off the Tennessee Titans' practice squad in early November 2008 and played eight games with the Colts that season. Muir was a waiver claim from the Green Bay Packers in late August 2008. Foster was an undrafted free agent from Rutgers signed in 2008.

And so it’s no-names versus big-names in the trenches when the Jets have the ball at Lucas Oil Stadium, and it could be the matchup most telling in who wins the AFC title and advances to the Super Bowl.

(Read full post)

Posted by ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky

Power Rankings: Preseason: 6. This week: 2.

2009 Schedule/Results

Where they stand: The Colts are the AFC’s lone unbeaten team and as they prepare for their showdown Sunday night against New England, they rate as the favorite to represent the conference in the Super Bowl in Miami on February 7, 2010.

	Andy Lyons/Getty Images
	Third-round draft pick Jerraud Powers has been a pleasant surprise at cornerback for the Colts.

They’ve got the league’s top passing offense led by the MVP frontrunner Peyton Manning and the league’s top scoring defense led by whirling dervish Dwight Freeney, who’s got a sack in every game. In Jim Caldwell’s first half season as Tony Dungy’s successor, things have gone as well as could possibly have been expected.

Disappointments: Incumbent left tackle Tony Ugoh lost his starting job to Charlie Johnson and currently rates so low among the team’s offensive linemen that he’s not even dressed for the Colts’ last three games. Another lineman drafted high and expected to be a long-term answer, guard Mike Pollak, has shared time with journeyman Kyle DeVan, who played in 2009 with the Boise Burn of ArenaFootball2. The run game continues to struggle, with only 85.4 yards a game and just 3.4 a carry from lead back Joseph Addai.

Defensive tackle Ed Johnson was supposed to spur a run defense revival on his second chance, but word is he was lazy and not in shape and the team surprised a lot of people by cutting him after five games.

Surprises: As a result of injuries, the Colts have gotten four starts from Kelvin Hayden and none from Marlin Jackson, the two players the team expected to be locked in as their top cornerbacks. That’s a scenario that would undo the season for virtually every team in the league. But the Colts have gotten great play from third-round draft pick Jerraud Powers and undrafted rookie Jacob Lacey, with veteran Tim Jennings working as the extra corner.

Indianapolis ranks an impressive ninth against the pass even without those two corners and with only two games from another secondary starter, strong safety Bob Sanders who’s now out for the season along with Jackson.

Outlook: The Colts have a tough stretch coming, with New England Sunday night followed by trips to Baltimore and Houston for a rematch with the Texans. Their first loss, or two, will likely arrive in that span, but they should still wind up with the top seed in the conference and line up for two home games in the playoffs.

The question is whether Caldwell can jolt them out of the first-round funk that’s seen them bow out of the postseason quickly to San Diego two years in a row after winning Super Bowl XLI.

Posted by ESPN.com’s Paul Kuharsky

We know a lot about the AFC South after five weeks, and each team has at least one big question as Week 6 rolls around. Let’s examine each team, shall we?

Houston Texans

	Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
	Steve Slaton is gaining just 3.2 yards per carry after averaging 4.8 ypc in 2008.

A year ago it seemed as if the Texans had found their scheme and their back, thanks to Alex Gibbs’ zone-blocking attack and third-round star runner Steve Slaton. A team that ranked 13th in rushing was plenty good enough to provide a balanced offense and a believable play-action option, a key element in the passing attack that features the team’s best player in receiver Andre Johnson.

But these Texans cannot run -- they rank 30th in the league with only 75.4 yards a game. After they struck out in their pursuit of free agent Cedric Benson -- who may have been perfect but certainly found a better situation in Cincinnati -- they failed to find the complementary back to go with Slaton. Their undrafted rookies didn’t earn the job and they turned to veteran Chris Brown. Unfortunately, Brown is completely miscast as a short-yardage specialist and has failed to score from close range when given the chance to tie two games late.

Left guard Chester Pitts was lost for the season after suffering a knee injury in Week 2 and right guard Mike Brisiel is finished for the year with a foot injury. Take away 40 percent of a line that relies on continuity and it compounds the problem. With a 3.2-yard average, Slaton is not been nearly as explosive as he was last season when he averaged 4.8 yards a carry.

Maybe they tinker with the scheme based on how they are being defended. But they’re going to have to do their best to work through it, as a personnel change that would solve things doesn’t seem possible.

Indianapolis Colts

Cop-out alert: At 5-0 heading into their bye, the Colts aren’t perfect and run-blocking qualifies as a concern. But I am hard-pressed to call it an issue or to find another. I think they are the best team in the AFC.

I thought the waiving of Ed Johnson was going to amount to the team’s first adversity. But once the team said it was a result of performance, I think it became something that won’t linger long. Having the smallest section in this blog entry is a good thing, and the three others would happily trade spots.

Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars have done all sort of tinkering with their defensive front, and they are now regarded as a 3-4 team that converts into a 4-3 on third down and clear-cut pass-rush situations. No matter how the linemen and linebackers are aligning, however, they fail to generate a consistent pass rush.

	Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images
	Derrick Harvey, a 2008 first-round pick, has yet to collect a sack this season.

Jack Del Rio’s team is simply not talented enough to win without making opposing quarterbacks uncomfortable. They found ways to beat division rivals Houston and Tennessee, but lost to teams quarterbacked by Peyton Manning, Kurt Warner and Matt Hasselbeck.

They will continue to try to find ways to collapse the pocket and hit the quarterback. But the Jags are downplaying expectations for second-year end-outside linebacker Derrick Harvey as a rusher. They traded up to draft him at No. 8 last season and took Quentin Groves in the second round. The two were supposed to be the next generation of pass-rushers. They’ve combined for no sacks, one fewer than defensive tackle Montavious Stanley, a player who’s been waived four times since 2006.

Guys on the roster can get better and stronger, but this group needs an influx of talent that won’t arrive until free agency and the draft.

The good news on the pass-rush front? Nine of the Jaguars’ remaining 11 opponents don’t have unflappable, high-quality quarterbacks. But those quarterbacks will be excited at the possibility of having their best days against Jacksonville because they could be harassed less against the Jags.

Tennessee Titans

There isn’t a unit on the Titans that isn’t culpable for their 0-5 start. Out of 22 starters, I can only look at one -- middle linebacker Stephen Tulloch -- and conclude he’s doing better work this season than he did a year ago.

	AP Photo/Wade Payne
	The Titans need Michael Griffin to step up in the secondary.

Pass defense is the top issue, however, and the drop-off was extreme well before the Titans started to get hurt. Now without Vincent Fuller and Nick Harper for an extended time, they will see young corners Jason McCourty and Ryan Mouton continue to be tested even as they’ve added veteran Rod Hood. If Cortland Finnegan (hamstring) is still out, Cary Williams could also come into play. Those inexperienced defensive backs (and Hood, who is new to the system) could be just what a tandem such as Tom Brady and Randy Moss needs to get clicking.

Certainly a less effective, less consistent pass rush is a piece of the poor pass coverage. The defensive line is considered the team’s deepest position, and it’s a group that must play better to help those in coverage survive.

But what the Titans need to happen in the defensive backfield to provide some long-term comfort is for free safety Michael Griffin, who’s regressed, and Finnegan, once he’s healed up, to make leaps in maturity and accountability and show they can be guys to be built around the way Michael Roos and David Stewart are on the offensive line.

The young talent must return to form. We’ve talked about age as an issue, and it’s fair to presume there will be a lot of turnover after this season with or without a new collective bargaining agreement.

Posted by ESPN.com’s Paul Kuharsky

Brian Burke’s win probabilities for Week 6.

Houston Texans

• This is no time for Gary Kubiak to lose, says Jerome Solomon.
• Texans-Bengals will be a USC linebacker reunion, says John McClain.
• The consistency theme strikes Alan Burge as hollow.

Indianapolis Colts

• “Wednesday wasn't smooth around the Colts' Westside Indianapolis complex. Far from it. It was difficult. It was shocking. It was confusing.” John Oehser on the wake of the Ed Johnson release.
• Stover is happy to be a Colt, writes Oehser.
• Peyton Manning says his knee is fine, according to Oehser.
• Injured Colts defenders are nearing their return, says Tom James.

Jacksonville Jaguars

• Maurice Jones-Drew vented about the inconsistent run game, says Vito Stellino.
• The remaining schedule is accommodating, says Gene Frenette.
• “Teams that have gutted their roster, turned it upside down and inside out for the purpose or ridding itself of last year’s identity, usually haven’t acquired a new identity just five weeks into the season,” says Vic Ketchman.
• Ketchman’s not a fan of players peeking at video boards for hints during plays.
• Comments from Jones-Drew and Torry Holt sounded like emerging leadership to Cole Pepper.

Tennessee Titans

• Bill Belichick credits Floyd Reese with getting him on track as an NFL coach, say Jim Wyatt and Gary Estwick. Reese, the former Titans GM, is now in the Patriots’ front office.
• Jevon Kearse can’t recapture his past glory, writes Jim Wyatt.
• Kearse offers no apologies for leaving Sunday after he was deactivated, says Terry McCormick.
• Wyatt ponders how Kearse handled himself.
• William Hayes was surprised to start over Kearse, writes McCormick.
• Michael Griffin and Cortland Finnegan didn’t practice, says Estwick.

Posted by ESPN.com’s Paul Kuharsky

The Colts did Ed Johnson a big disservice the way they handled his release.

	Don McPeak/US Presswire
	Ed Johnson (92) had 11 tackles and no sacks through four games.

Johnson was officially let go Tuesday, and whether the news came out on the timetable the Colts desired or not, it came out.

Johnson was cut last season for violating a zero-tolerance policy in place for him regarding off-the-field issues. He was brought back this season with those same strict guidelines.

Considering the fanfare that greeted his return, that he was a starter since he was reinstated from his Week 1 suspension and that there had been no public questioning of his play, the team had to know a release without explanation was going to prompt suspicions he’d done something wrong off the field.

Coach Jim Caldwell admitted as much when he began to address it Wednesday.

“I know some might wonder whether or not it was a character issue,” he said.

If you knew, coach, why wouldn’t you seek to clarify that it was not as soon as possible? Isn’t that what you would have liked for someone to do for you if you were in a similar circumstance?

The team could have simply put out a statement Tuesday or have word passed down from on high that it was a production issue, not a behavioral one.

Here’s Caldwell’s entire explanation about how the move was tied to the addition of kicker Matt Stover.

“We released Ed Johnson. I know some might wonder whether or not it was a character issue. It was not. We had to take a real good look at our roster and see where we may be able to make an adjustment here or there to get another guy on it. (With) Ed (it) was more production than anything else.

On if rookie defensive tackle Fili Moala will now be in the rotation:

“Yes. Antonio Johnson is still there and Dan Muir along with Fili will rotate along with Eric Foster. We will still have a four-man rotation. I believe he [Moala] will do just like we expect him to do. There are a lot of young guys who come in and step up and are able to do the job, and we expect the same from him. He has shown, the last couple of weeks in particular, he has really come along. He has made some strides. We are going to have an opportunity to get him out there and see what he can do.”

On the reason for the Ed Johnson release:

“It was production or lack thereof.”

On when Adam Vinatieri’s knee injury came about:

“Last week is when the issue arose where it required a MRI and from that, we made a decision on what to do and how to go about it. He wanted to fight through it and continue to go, but we felt this was the best course of action.”

Posted by ESPN.com’s Paul Kuharsky

The Colts have a new kicker for a month or two.

Here’s the short release they just sent out.

"The Indianapolis Colts have waived DT-Ed Johnson and have agreed to contract terms with K-Matt Stover. Stover joins the club after playing 1991-2008 with Cleveland and Baltimore. K-Adam Vinatieri has undergone successful arthroscopic surgery to his right knee to remove a piece of cartilage. Vinatieri is expected to miss four-to-eight weeks."

We don’t know if they’re going to offer further details on Johnson’s release. Coach Jim Caldwell will talk to the media at about 2:30 p.m. ET.

Posted by ESPN.com’s Paul Kuharsky

Houston Texans

• Amobi Okoye’s been playing better says Dale Robertson.
• John McClain still sees some reasons for optimism with the Texans.
• Richard Justice measures Gary Kubiak against the other coaches hired in 2006.
• Alan Burge finds a report about a roster move and some workouts.

Indianapolis Colts

• An explanation for the release of Ed Johnson is expected Wednesday, says Phillip B. Wilson.
• The loss of Johnson has major ramifications at a thin position, says John Oehser.
• The Colts are considering Matt Stover, suggesting Adam Vinatieri is hurting, writes Wilson.
• Stover says he can still kick, says Ken Murray. (Hat tip to Oehser for the link.)
• Jim Irsay isn’t supportive of Rush Limbaugh as a minority owner of an NFL franchise, reports Jimmy Golen.

Jacksonville Jaguars

• What was Jack Del Rio’s reaction to the Seattle game on his coach’s show? Jay Gray reviews it.
• Vic Ketchman says Del Rio did the right thing suspending Mike Sims-Walker Sunday, but doesn’t mention Quentin Groves.
• The Jaguars need more muscle, writes Ketchman.
• Pete Vining traveled with the Jags to Seattle and shares the experience.
• A Q&A with Jarett Dillard.

Tennessee Titans

• Among the five things Jim Wyatt knows about the Titans: Justin Gage has become a ghost.
• Is the switch from Jevon Kearse to William Hayes a sign the Titans are shifting to rebuild mode, asks Terry McCormick.

Posted by ESPN.com’s Paul Kuharsky

So much has gone right for the Indianapolis Colts as they’ve run out to a 5-0 record. But ESPN.com senior writer John Clayton is reporting the team has parted ways with a key contributor, cutting defensive tackle Ed Johnson.

Johnson

The team cut Johnson following the opener in 2008 after he was arrested for speeding and marijuana was allegedly found in his car. He was out of the league for the remainder of the season, and the Colts' defense missed him.

Jim Caldwell and Bill Polian decided to bring the big defensive tackle back for another chance, but this move comes without announcement or explanation and indicates he’s fallen short of the team’s expectations again.

What a disappointment. If it’s what it appears, Polian and Caldwell look bad for putting faith in Johnson, who said all the right things about getting another chance but now looks to be on his way out of the NFL.

The team will now look to Eric Foster or Dan Muir to step in to replace Johnson next to Antonio Johnson in the starting lineup. Neither has the presence of Ed Johnson, but the Colts have been masterful at plugging in the next man up and seeing no drop-off.

Ed Johnson served a league suspension for the opener, when Foster got the start.

The move can also open a door for second-round draft pick Fili Moala, who’s been inactive for all five games and has been said to be making slower progress than expected at the start of his career.

The Colts have a bye this week which will give them extra time to get the interior defensive line back in order.

They may also get injured cornerbacks Kelvin Hayden and Marlin Jackson and left tackle Charlie Johnson back for their Oct. 25 game at St. Louis. Safety Bob Sanders and receiver Anthony Gonzalez are also possibilities.

Posted by ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky

Take Dwight Freeney out of the Colts lineup, and Indianapolis is obviously not as good. His four sacks are third in the league. He’s a pass rusher who keeps blockers and quarterbacks on edge.

He told reporters he “felt something pop” in his right quad during Sunday night’s win in Arizona.

Jim Caldwell gave the standard Monday response when asked about the injury during his Monday press conference:

“I know Dwight has spoken to a couple of you and expressed he had an injury in a particular area. We are going to reserve comments until after the MRI, which he had this morning. The results should come back a little later on.”

Freeney missed seven games after suffering a foot injury in 2007, but the team won six games in a row without him before a meaningless regular season finale. The Colts lost their first playoff game to San Diego.

He’s had double-digit sacks in five of his seven seasons, with only 3.5 in the injury year and 5.5 in 2006, when the Colts won the Super Bowl.

If he’s out, Indianapolis wouldn’t wave a white flag. They’d proceed as they have without many injured guys, with a next man up approach.

They’d turn to Raheem Brock, their high-quality third end and ask for more from Keyunta Dawson. He played tackle last year but was shifted to end this year as the Colts beefed up inside after bringing back Ed Johnson and drafting Fili Moala.

Posted by ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky

» NFC Stock Watch: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

Falling:

Griffin

1. Michael Griffin, S, Titans: He twice bit on a run fake allowing a dangerous Texans receiver to make a giant play. It was hard to understand his thinking and priorities and he didn’t stick around after the game to explain or talk about his mistakes.

The Titans’ secondary has been shaky and he’s not alone. But heading into his third year, he should be communicating better and not making gigantic mistakes.

2. Jaguars defense: Zero sacks and only one hit on Arizona quarterback Kurt Warner, who set a record with his completion percentage from a nearly spotless 24-of-26, 243-yard day with two touchdowns and a 131.2 passer rating.

If the Jaguars can’t generate any pressure, Matt Schaub will be the next signal-caller to pick them apart.

3. Colts interior defensive line: They were exhausted for how many snaps they had to play. But the Indianapolis tackles need to be more productive collapsing the pocket and stuffing the run when the ends draw attention as they did in Miami.

Ed Johnson, Antonio Johnson, Eric Foster, Raheem Brock and Daniel Muir need to do more. The bulkier Johnson and Johnson are supposed to have more impact against the run.

Rising:

Clark

1. Dallas Clark, TE, Colts: When Anthony Gonzalez went down in the opener, one of the common reactions was that the Colts would have to lean on their tight ends more to help offset the loss.

Clark was spectacular in Miami as the Dolphins concentrated on limiting Reggie Wayne. With seven catches for 183 yards he produced the fourth biggest game for a tight end since 1970. His ability to run after the catch was fantastic.

Schaub

Johnson

2. Andre Johnson, WR, Texans and Matt Schaub, QB, Texans: A couple of early drops and missed plays last year at LP Field led to Johnson disappearing. This time against the Titans Johnson's early miscues seemed to make him more determined. Schaub rebounded in a big way -- he was "Falling" last week.

He was a nightmare for the Titans’ secondary all day, and showed why the offense must flow thorough him. Schaub threw in his direction twice as much as anyone else, finding him 10 times for 149 yards and two touchdowns.

Johnson

3. Chris Johnson, RB, Titans: His 284 yards from scrimmage, the most for the franchise since 1961 and the 12th most in the league since 1970. Unfortunately for him and for the Titans, it came as part of a loss.

He did so much so fast that the quick production almost hurt the Titans’ chances to establish an offensive rhythm. If he keeps it up, they’ll happily adjust.

Posted by ESPN.com’s Paul Kuharsky

Houston Texans

• Dunta Robinson was fined for the message on his shows Sunday against the Jets, says John McClain.
• Kyle Shanahan makes an appearance in this look at young coaches and the box listing some up-and-comers by Jeff Chadiha.
• Stay calm about Steve Slaton, says Clifton Brown.
• The Texans signed running back Anthony Alridge to their practice squad, dropping linebacker Buster Davis, says McClain.

Indianapolis Colts

• Indy worked out three receivers Tuesday according to Adam Schefter: D.J. Hackett, David Patten, and Chad Jackson.
• Anthony Gonzalez will be out a month with a sprained right knee ligament, reports Chappell.
• Larry Coyer gives the Colts all sorts of blitz possibilities, says Mike Chappell.
• The Colts added Ed Johnson back to their active roster, writes Chappell.
• A look at seven key Colts topics, including what’s up at receiver, Johnson’s return and the team’s new willingness to blitz, from John Oehser.
• A return trip to Miami will bring Super Bowl memories for some, says Tom James.

Jacksonville Jaguars

• Jacksonville mayor John Peyton’s plugging Jaguars tickets, says Michael C. Wright.
• The Jags aren’t sure blackout news will spur ticket sales, says Gene Frenette.
• Criticism comes with the job according to David Garrard, writes Vito Stellino.
• In case you missed Wednesday’s comments from Wayne Weaver about Tim Tebow, they’re linked inside my reaction.
• Another take on what Tebow could mean in Jacksonville, from Jonathan Loesche.
• A team Q&A with Maurice Jones-Drew.
• David Garrard agrees with Jack Del Rio: He should have played better. Vic Ketchman’s story from jaguars.com.
• Ketchman takes a swipe at football technical talk and I’m with him on this one for sure.
• The trial of the man charged with shooting Richard Collier has been postponed, says the Times-Union.

Tennessee Titans

• The Titans vow to slow Steve Slaton, says Jim Wyatt.
• Vince Young stood in for Steve McNair for a day.
• The Titans plan to do some work in the rain this week, says Gary Estwick.
• Chris Johnson’s hawking new T-shirts, blogs Wyatt.
• Six memorable home openers, from Terry McCormick.
• A replay of Wyatt’s chat.
• Johnson talks about getting more touches, from Titans Radio.

Posted by ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky

The Colts made a couple of roster moves Wednesday. At least one more is coming -- perhaps in time for Thursday, which marks the start of their practice week in preparation for Monday night's game at Miami.

The team waived kicker Shane Andrus, who worked as a kickoff specialist in the season-opening win against Jacksonville, and linebacker Cody Glenn, who was inactive against the Jaguars.

Adam Vinatieri said Monday he envisioned ultimately taking back the kickoff duties, though he didn’t offer a hint that it would be soon.

One of the two open roster spots will be taken by Ed Johnson. The veteran defensive tackle was suspended by the league for Week 1 and the team’s roster exemption for him is up.

The second spot is yet to be filled.

Team president Bill Polian has indicated the team may look for a veteran wide receiver to help while Anthony Gonzalez (knee) is out. The team is only three deep at receiver without Gonzalez (Reggie Wayne, Austin Collie and Pierre Garcon).

If the Colts don't find a veteran they like, they could opt to promote Taj Smith or John Matthews from the practice squad.

UPDATE: Adam Schefter reported Tuesday evening that the Colts worked out three free agent veterans -- D.J. Hackett, David Patten, and Chad Jackson.

Posted by ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky

Five nuggets of knowledge about this weekend's games:

The Texans need a lot from Brian Cushing and Dunta Robinson: The rookie linebacker and the veteran cornerback were not part of the preseason, when the defense was not good, particularly against the run. Can they provide the missing ingredients against the Jets, who will be determined to run it? I think they will be difference-makers, but fear that others think their mere presence will “fix” things.

	Drew Hallowell/Getty Images
	How productive will Anthony Gonzalez be in a passing game already featuring Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark?

The Jaguars are not an ideal draw for the Colts: Jacksonville has run the ball with good success against the Colts in recent games. The Jaguars are a different team now, with two rookie tackles in Eugene Monroe on the left and Eben Britton on the right. Can they plow room for Maurice Jones-Drew and Greg Jones or Rashad Jennings against a stouter Colts’ defense? This is a big game for Antonio Johnson, Dan Muir and Eric Foster, the three defensive tackles expected to rotate for the Colts while Ed Johnson serves his one-game suspension.

Anthony Gonzalez can do a lot to quiet skeptics: I think he’s going to be a very productive player with an expanded role for the post-Marvin Harrison Colts. But there are plenty of people doubting just how much he will be able to do as the second or third option for Peyton Manning after Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark. If he gets turns against rookie cornerback Derek Cox he needs to help Manning take advantage of Cox’s inexperience.

Mario Williams is bound to draw lots of attention: Whether he’s on the right where he starts out or flipped to the left in pass-rushing downs, the Texans stud defensive end will draw a lot of attention from the Jets. Here’s the first test as to whether the Texans can generate sufficient pass rush from elsewhere. Free-agent additions Antonio Smith and Shaun Cody and rookie Connor Barwin need to penetrate, hit and fluster rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez to maximize Houston’s chances.

Some rookie will rank as a hero or a goat in Indy: We’ve mentioned Monroe, Britton and Cox. Jacksonville will also start defensive tackle Terrance Knighton. The Colts are expected to start rookie cornerback Jerraud Powers and will rely on contributions from receiver Austin Collie, running back Donald Brown and punter Pat McAfee. If one of those eight guys has a great or terrible game, he’s likely to be a big piece of the storyline at Lucas Oil Stadium.