Chris Ballard firing shakes up Colts, AFC South roundup

There were no games on the AFC South slate Tuesday, but the Indianapolis Colts’ front office delivered one of the biggest moves of the young season while the Houston Texans continued to gain league-wide respect. In the standings, the Jacksonville Jaguars still lead the division at 4-2, followed by the Texans and Colts at 2-4, with the Tennessee Titans at 1-5.

Colts fire GM Chris Ballard, lose Sauce Gardner to injury

The Colts made a major leadership change by firing general manager Chris Ballard, as reported by both CBS Sports and Pro Football Rumors. CBS Sports points to a series of missteps — from messy coaching changes to lopsided trades and quarterback signings — as key reasons behind his downfall, while Pro Football Rumors notes that his job status had been a talking point even before the 2026 season kicked off. CBS Sports also underlines that Ballard’s exit further increases the pressure on head coach Shane Steichen and his staff after back-to-back losses dropped Indianapolis to 2-4.

The news was compounded on the injury front. According to Pro Football Rumors, cornerback Sauce Gardner is expected to miss time with a calf strain. Acquired from the Jets at the 2025 trade deadline as a potential defensive cornerstone, the two-time All-Pro has not had the impact the Colts envisioned, with injuries playing a significant role. In a separate piece, CBS Sports explores whether Indianapolis could move veteran talent in a potential fire sale as the franchise looks ahead to a 2027 rebuild without a 2027 first-round pick.

Texans rise in rankings, prepare for Tank Dell’s return

In Houston, the arrow is pointing up. In his Week 7 NFL Power Rankings for CBS Sports, Pete Prisco bumped the Texans up eight spots, highlighting them as one of the week’s biggest risers despite a 2-4 record. On the personnel side, Pro Football Rumors notes that Houston added cornerback Collin Wright to the practice squad as they continue to tinker with their depth on defense.

The bigger boost could come on offense. Pro Football Rumors reports that head coach DeMeco Ryans told reporters wide receiver Tank Dell will be activated from injured reserve ahead of the Texans’ Week 7 matchup with the New York Giants. Dell has been sidelined for 22 months after suffering a gruesome leg injury, and his return would add a notable weapon back into the passing game.

CBS Sports also examined potential landing spots around the league for wideout Brian Thomas Jr., noting that trade speculation has intensified after he did not play in the second half of a game against the Texans. The piece frames Thomas as a possible buy-low candidate for contenders seeking upside at receiver.

Quiet day for Jaguars and Titans

The Jaguars and Titans were not directly involved in Tuesday’s headlines. Jacksonville remains in control of the AFC South at 4-2, while Tennessee sits at 1-5, as the day’s major developments centered squarely on Indianapolis’ front-office shakeup and Houston’s rising stock.