The Indianapolis Colts activated defensive end Denico Autry off the reserve/COVID-19 list on Thursday.
Autry, who leads the team with six sacks, missed the past two games after testing positive for the virus ahead of the Colts’ Week 11 game against Green Bay. His seven tackles for loss rank second on the team.
Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner remains on the reserve list but could be activated Saturday, pending any symptoms and negative COVID-19 tests.
Autry — and Buckner — will be a shot in the arm for a defense that gave up 449 yards in last week’s 45-26 loss to the Tennessee Titans. The Colts allowed the Titans to run for 229 yards in the loss, which bumped them out of first in the AFC South.
The Colts (7-4) will travel to Houston take on the Texans (4-7) on Sunday.
The 30-year-old Autry has 22 tackles in nine games (eight starts) this season. He’s in his third year with the Colts after a four-year stint with the then-Oakland Raiders. He has 29 career sacks, and is closing in on his career high of nine, set in 2018.