C.J. Stroud, Texans starters will play with division title still in play

The Texans clinched a playoff berth in Week 17, but they remain in play for the AFC South title. Thus, coach DeMeco Ryans said he has no plans to rest his starters for the regular-season finale against the Colts on Sunday.

We still have an opportunity to win our division," Ryans said Monday, via Jonathan Alexander of the Houston Chronicle. That's always the goal each and every year - to win the division. We know we need help from the Titans to be able to do that, so we're going and playing our guys."

The Texans need the Titans to beat the Jaguars, which, considering Tennessee's 3-13 record, seems unlikely. But stranger things have happened, so the Texans aren't conceding the division.

Houston has won the past two AFC South titles.

The Texans currently sit as the No. 5 seed, which would send Houston to the AFC North winner (Pittsburgh or Baltimore) in the wild-card round.

Cornerbacks Kamari Lassiter (knee and foot) and Derek Stingley Jr. (oblique) and offensive tackles Aireontae Ersery (thumb) and Trent Brown (ankle/knee) are banged up. But Ryans said if they are healthy enough, they will play.

Quarterback C.J. Stroud will start.