DeShawn Williams – Noteworthy – Transaction
DT DeShawn Williams was signed by the Colts to the practice squad Monday (Dec. 10). He had been released by the Dolphins from the practice squad Dec. 4. Williams, 6-1, 295 pounds, spent time on the practice squads of the Dolphins and Denver Broncos this season. He spent most of the 2017 season on the Cincinnati Bengals practice squad. In 2016, Williams played in four games for the Bengals and tallied two tackles (one solo) and half a sack. As a rookie in 2015, he spent time on Cincinnati’s active roster and practice squad but did not see game action. Williams was originally signed by the Bengals as an undrafted free agent on May 8, 2015.
Adam Vinatieri – Noteworthy
Kicker Adam Vinatieri made a 54-yard field goal on the second quarter’s final play to tie Phil Dawson and John Kasey with 42 career field goals of 50 or more yards. Although known more for his clutch game-winning kicks in two Super Bowls for New England, Vinatieri tied Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison for ninth on the Colts list for games played at 190.
Andrew Luck – Noteworthy
Quarterback Andrew Luck received the second-highest grade at his position by Pro Football Focus after completing 27 of 41 passes for 399 yards with two TDs and one interception (a tipped pass that should have been caught). The 399 yards are the third most in his seven-year career. He passed for a career-high 464 yards in a September loss to the Texans. Luck has had a passer rating better than 100 in six of his last seven starts.
Clayton Geathers – Noteworthy
Safety Clayton Geathers had nine tackles in Sunday’s win, including six solos.
Darius Leonard – Noteworthy
LB Darius Leonard padded his league-leading tackle total with 12 stops against Houston and had his seventh sack of the season as well as an impressive pass defense against Texans Pro Bowl wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins.
Denico Autry – Noteworthy
Defensive tackle Denico Autry, who has had to overcome nagging injuries for more than half of the season, has been the Colts best pass rusher of late with five sacks in the past two games. He had two more on Sunday to boost his team-leading total to eight. Autry had 10.5 sacks in four seasons with Oakland. Signed by the Colts to a three-year, $17.8 million contract as a free agent, he’s amassed his eight sacks this season in just nine games.
Eric Ebron – Noteworthy
Eric Ebron set a franchise record for tight ends with his 12th TD reception, breaking the previous mark set by Dallas Clark in 2007. He has 13 scores overall, counting a scoring run. In four previous seasons with Detroit, Ebron had 11 TD receptions and one scoring rush.
Jabaal Sheard – Noteworthy
Defensive end Jabaal Sheard led the defensive line with six tackles, including four solos and two for losses.
T.Y. Hilton – Noteworthy
Wide receiver T.Y. Hilton continued his trend of monster games against the Texans with nine receptions for a season-high 199 yards. In 14 career starts against the Texans, Hilton has 76 receptions for 1,445 yards and nine TDs. “Like everybody says, this is my second home,” the Floridian said of Houston.