After receiving praise and adoration of a brilliant game on both sides of the football in a blowout defeat of the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving Day, Lions head coach Matt Patricia was eventually fired. And the Texans found themselves right back in the midst of turmoil and adversity as they prepare to take on divisional foe Indianapolis Colts.

This week the Texans lost two key players in less than a 24-hour span that was an intricate part of keeping their small glimmer of hope of making the playoffs this season.

Houston’s No. 1 wide receiver Will Fuller was suspended for six games by the NFL for violating its substance abuse policy. Fuller, who was having a Pro Bowl type season for the Texans with 879 yards receiving and eight touchdowns, announced via his private Instagram account that he had taken some medication to help treat a medical issue in the offseason. He said that he was unaware that the prescribed medicine was against the league’s policy.

“Earlier this year, I sought treatment from a medical professional who prescribed medication that he believed to be permitted under the NFL’s drug policy,” Fuller wrote on his IG page. “As it turns out, my trust in this professional was misplaced because this medication was NOT a permitted substance under the NFL Policy on Performance Enhancing Substances.”

On the same day that Fuller made his announcement, Texans cornerback Bradley Roby also made it known to the public that he too had been suspended by the league for violating its substance abuse policy.

“I apologize to my family, my teammates, the Houston Texans organization and the fans,” Roby’s statement read. “A few months ago, I unknowingly used a product that was contaminated with a banned substance by the NFL. I recognize that it is my job to know, and be responsible for, everything I put in my body. I will be suspended for six games ending my season.”

Those suspensions will definitely cause a tremendous shift in game planning as the Texans prepare to take on a Colts team who had a lackluster performance against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday being blown out by a score of 45-26. They will now head into NRG Stadium on Sunday with a chip on their shoulder and no sympathy for Houston.

But don’t count the Texans out just yet. If anyone can get the job done for Houston it is superstar quarterback Deshaun Watson who is not only having a Pro Bowl type year but should also garner some All-Pro and MVP votes this season. Watson had another great performance against the Lions tossing four touchdown passes and no interceptions.

Although he will be without his prime target in WR Will Fuller, Watson is spreading the love around to other receivers such as WR Brandin Cooks, who has 52 receptions this season.

Houston has been through a lot of adversity this season. Let’s hope they can overcome this as well.