INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indianapolis Colts were confronted with a turnover-filled performance from their quarterback and a late breakdown from their defense on Sunday.
So Indianapolis turned to -- of all people -- an injured kicker for a bailout in their 19-17 victory over the Houston Texans. Spencer Shrader, who sustained a groin injury in pregame warmups, battled through his physical issues to convert four field goals, including a game-winning 53-yard kick with 16 seconds remaining.
Shrader sustained his injury about 30 minutes before kickoff but alerted coaches just prior to the game that he could push through. Still, punter Rigoberto Sanchez was asked to handle kickoffs throughout the day to lighten the load on Shrader, who returned this season from a devastating knee injury in 2025 that left him with multiple torn ligaments.
"We did some therapy on it ... and it felt really good," Shrader said, explaining how the team's training staff sprung into action minutes before the game. "I just had to make sure to not overdo it and not make it any worse. Just be real nice and smooth and not try to do anything that's going to make it worse."
Little did Shrader know then he'd provide a majority of the Colts' scoring in the game. He converted field goals from 39, 58, 37 and 53 yards. The performance kept Shrader a perfect 8-for-8 this season. That includes a 3-for-3 mark on kicks of 50 yards or longer, with a pair of 58-yard makes.
The Colts needed a game-winning march down the field after yielding the go-ahead touchdown to Houston with 1:50 remaining. The Texans took possession after star edge rusher Will Anderson sacked Colts quarterback Daniel Jones and forced a fumble that Houston recovered.
After the Texans scored seven plays later, the Colts had 1:48 to make something happen. Notably, after the Colts crossed midfield on the ensuing possession, coach Shane Steichen got a bit conservative with his playcalling.
It was a reflection of his confidence in Shrader.
"You want to be aggressive there in that situation, but you also want to get into field goal range," Steichen said. "We felt good about Spencer's range."
After the Colts were a yard shy of a first down on a third-and-6, Steichen confidently sent his kicker out with 21 seconds left and the Colts trailing 17-16. The decision resulted in the Colts' first win of the season and their first victory over the Texans in six meetings.
For Shrader, there was never any doubt.
"What's crazy is I feel like today was one of my best days overall out there with how I was striking the ball," he said. "... I felt like we could have hit a 60-plus-yarder."