Optimistic for playoffs

Joseph (neck) said he's trending in the right direction and is optimistic he'll play in Saturday's first-round playoff game against the Colts, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Analysis: Joseph sat out Sunday's 20-3 win over the Jaguars, the second game he's missed this season due to injury and just his ninth over eight seasons with Houston. The Texans have the advantage of being at home, but they need all hands on deck in the secondary against Indianapolis' Andrew Luck, who completed 67 of 103 passes for 863 yards, six touchdowns and one interception in two games against them this year.

Won't play Sunday

Joseph (neck) is inactive for Sunday's Week 17 tilt against Jacksonville.

Analysis: Joseph played through a neck injury earlier in December and was limited in practice with the issue this week. He should be back for the playoffs as the issue doesn't appear overly serious. Look for Shareece Wright to draw the start at left cornerback while Joseph is sidelined.

Questionable Week 17

Joseph (neck) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Jaguars.

Analysis: Joseph also dealt with a neck issue in early December, but it remains to be seen if this an aggravation of that issue or a new injury. Regardless, the veteran cornerback was a limited practice participant this week and seems likely to play Week 17.

Active Week 16

Joseph (hip/illness) is active for Sunday's game against the Eagles.

Analysis: Joseph was either limited or held out of all of the Texans' practices this week. It's unclear if he'll be limited at all Sunday as the team looks to secure the division and a first-round bye in the playoffs. Look for Joseph to see his typical role as the team's starting left cornerback, with Shareece Wright and Aaron Colvin likely to see a few extra snaps if Joseph does end up being limited.

Questionable for Sunday

Josephy (hip/illness) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Eagles.

Analysis: Joseph was a limited participant Wednesday and Thursday with the hip issue, but he was downgraded to a non-participant Friday while apparently falling ill. The 35-year-old's status remains up in the air, with Shareece Wright and Aaron Colvin likely to see increased roles should he be unable to play.

Ties for team lead in tackles

Joseph had nine tackles (seven solo) in Saturday's win over the Jets.

Analysis: Joseph also had a pass breakup, and the nine tackles represent a new season high. The veteran corner will flash similar production occasionally, but his three combined tackles over the previous two games illustrate his inconsistency as a cornerback.

Suiting up Week 14

Joseph (neck/shoulder) is active for Sunday's contest against the Colts.

Analysis: Though Joseph was officially listed as questionable, he was expected to play Sunday. He'll figure to start at cornerback, with Aaron Colvin or Johnson Bademosi likely to see some extra snaps if Johnson is at all limited.

Likely to play Sunday

Jospeh (neck/shoulder) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game but is expected to play, James Palmer of NFL Network reports.

Analysis: Joseph has practiced in a limited fashion this week, but it seems as though there isn't much legitimate concern about his availability. Assuming he suits up, Joseph will start at the cornerback spot opposite Shareece Wright.

Questionable for Sunday

Joseph (neck) is officially listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Colts, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Analysis: Joseph will attempt to play through a neck stinger and suit up for Sunday's tilt against the Colts, but he could ultimately be a game-time decision. Johnson Bademosi would benefit from an uptick in snaps if Joseph were to miss any time.

Limited in practice

Joseph (neck) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.

Analysis: Joseph suffered a neck stinger during Sunday's win over the Browns. The veteran cornerback is reportedly expected to suit up without issue Week 14, but his participation in practice Thursday and Friday will nonetheless warrant monitoring.

Interception in win

Joseph (neck) recorded one tackle, a pass defensed and an interception across 17 defensive snaps in Sunday's win over the Browns.

Analysis: Joseph exited the contest in third quarter due to a neck stinger and could miss a Week 14 divisional showdown with the Colts as a result. More updates in that regard should come once the team resumes practice this week. It was the veteran's second interception of the season, which trails just Justin Reid for the team lead.

Nursing neck stinger

Joseph was diagnosed with a neck stinger following Sunday's game, but should be able to suit up in Week 14, James Palmer of NFL Network reports.

Analysis: Joseph left Sunday's game in the third quarter due to the neck injury and was unable to return. Though the South Carolina product was not diagnosed with a severe injury, Joseph's practice participation next week should indicate if he will indeed suit up in Week 14.

Exits game with neck injury

Joseph is ruled out for Sunday's game against the Browns due to a neck injury.

Analysis: Joseph left the field during the third quarter. Aaron Colvin and Johnson Bademosi should benefit from increased defensive snaps as long as Joseph remains sidelined.

Practices fully Friday

Joseph (ankle) was a full participant at Friday's practice.

Analysis: Joseph has been battling knee and ankle issues since mid-October, but he finally appears clear of the injuries. The 34-year-old should have his usual role as a starting cornerback Monday night against the Titans.

Limited participant

Joseph (ankle) practiced on a limited basis Thursday,

Analysis: Joseph was hampered by knee and ankle injuries last week, but he was able to play all 75 defensive snaps in a Week 11 win over Washington. The ankle remains problematic, but the Texans will manage it leading up to Week 12 against Tennessee on Monday night.

Cleared to play in Week 11

Joseph (knee/ankle) is active for Sunday's game against the Redskins.

Analysis: The Texans' Week 10 bye provided sufficient time for Joseph to recover from the MCL sprain and ankle issue that forced his first absence of the season Nov. 4 against the Broncos. With Joseph having practiced in a limited fashion throughout the week, he should be ready to take on his usual allotment of snaps in his return to action.

Likely to play Week 11

Joseph (knee/ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Redskins but is expected to play, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Analysis: Coming off their Week 10 bye, the Texans are still banged up in the secondary with Aaron Colvin (ankle) also listed as questionable but seemingly trending toward missing a sixth straight game. Houston should at least get some reinforcement in the form of Joseph, who returned from a one-game absence to participate in practice in a limited fashion throughout the week. Even if the knee and ankle issues slow Joseph more than normal Sunday, it shouldn't prove too costly with Houston matching up with…read more

Questionable Week 11

Joseph (knee/ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Redskins.

Analysis: Joseph was a limited practice participant throughout the week after sitting out the game against Denver prior to the bye last week. Fewer practice reps aren't overly concerning for the 34-year-old, and consequently, it seems as though he has a decent chance to suit up Sunday.

Limited in practice Wednesday

Joseph (knee/ankle) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Analysis: Joseph appears to have progressed in his recovery from a sprained knee and ankle during the Texans' bye, and has a chance of suiting up against the Redskins on Sunday. If the veteran cornerback is unable to play Week 11, expect Johnson Bademosi to once again receive an uptick in defensive snaps.

Not ready yet

Joseph (knee) is inactive for Sunday's game versus the Broncos.

Analysis: Joseph will miss his first game of the season, and Johnson Bademosi should see a hefty workload in his place. Joseph, who has 34 tackles, eight pass breakups and one pick-six this year, will rest through the bye week and shift his focus to Week 11 versus the Redskins.

Listed as questionable for Week 9

Joseph (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Broncos.

Analysis: Joseph logged three limited practices this week, but it's unclear if that activity will be enough for the Texans to sign off on him being available after he was deemed week-to-week coming out of the Texans' last game against the Dolphins on Oct. 25. Even if Joseph is out Sunday and prepares for a return coming out of the Texans' Week 10 bye, Houston will benefit from some reinforcement in the secondary with Shareece Wright (shoulder) cleared to return from a two-game absence and Aaron Colvin…read more

Limited in practice

Joseph (knee) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Analysis: Joseph's limited participation in practice to open Week 9 is a positive sign for his health, but the cornerback remains week-to-week with a sprained MCL and high-ankle sprain and looks unlikely to play Sunday against the Broncos. With the Texans on bye in Week 10, Joseph is realistically eyeing a return to the lineup Nov. 18 in Washington.

Will miss weeks

Joseph will miss at least a few weeks after an MRI revealed a sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee and a high-ankle sprain, John McClain of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Analysis: Joseph suffered the injuries during Thursday's win over the Dolphins. Although he'll miss multiple weeks, Joseph in fact may only miss one game. He won't play in Denver on Nov. 4, and then it's the team's bye week before the schedule resumes Nov. 18 against Washington.

Will have MRI

Joseph (ankle) will have an MRI for an ankle injury sustained during Thursday's 42-23 win over the Dolphins, Omar Ruiz of NFL Network reports.

Analysis: Joseph was spotted wearing a walking boot after Thursday's contest, but he downplayed the severity of his injury and said that the walking boot was only precautionary. The veteran cornerback was forced to exit the Week 8 game during the first half, and he was unable to return to the field. Joseph will have an MRI on his ankle Friday, so expect a clarification on his injury status in the near future.

Will not return Thursday

Joseph (ankle) will not return to Thursday's game against the Dolphins.

Analysis: Joseph's absence makes the Texans perilously thin at cornerback, with usual safeties Kareem Jackson and Natrell Jamerson now being forced to take over. Joseph and the rest of the Houston secondary will look to get healthy before a Week 9 matchup with the Broncos.

Questionable with ankle injury

Joseph is questionable to return to Thursday's game against the Dolphins with an ankle injury.

Analysis: Joseph's injury comes at an unfortunate time, as the Texans are already missing Shareece Wright (shoulder) and Aaron Colvin (concussion) in the secondary with cornerbacks Kevin Johnson (concussion) and Kayvon Webster (quadriceps) on injured reserve. Johnson Bademosi figures to see a larger role as long as Joseph is out, with Kareem Jackson potentially moving to the other cornerback position.

Has pick-six game-winner

Joseph returned an interception for a touchdown in Sunday's 20-13 win over the Bills.

Analysis: Joseph picked an ideal time for his first interception of the season. With the game tied at 13-13, he jumped Kelvin Benjamin's out route and picked off Nathan Peterman for a 28-yard interception return for a touchdown with 1:23 left in the game. As injuries have hit the Texans' secondary, the 34-year-old Joseph, who has missed just seven games in seven-plus seasons in Houston, remains durable and without much dropoff in his game.

Joseph rejoined the Texans on a two-year contract Thursday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Analysis: Joseph battled injuries throughout the 2017 season but still started all 16 games for Houston, recording 47 tackles (37 solo), two interceptions and one return touchdown. The veteran cornerback, who will turn 34 in April, is in line to start once again this coming season, opposite newcomer Aaron Colvin.

Joseph (shoulder) practiced fully Thursday.

Analysis: Joseph was deemed day-to-day after injuring his shoulder in Sunday's loss to the Titans, but his return to full practice four days later clears up any concern regarding his availability for the Week 14 matchup with the Texans. Since earning AFC Defensive Player of the Week for Week 6 back in October for his two-interception effort against Cleveland, Joseph hasn't generated any turnovers in his subsequent six outings.

Joseph (shoulder) considers himself day-to-day and hopes to play against the 49ers next week, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: Joseph is hardly providing an official diagnosis, but it's still good news after he was unable to return to Sunday's game. The veteran cornerback's practice reps this week should provide a clearer indication of his status for Week 14.

Joseph has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's game against the Titans due to a shoulder injury, Brian Smith of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Analysis: Joseph's injury figures to result in additional snaps for Marcus Williams and Kevin Johnson at cornerback across from starter Kareem Jackson. The severity of Joseph's shoulder injury is somewhat unclear at this point, so his status for next week's matchup against the 49ers could be in question.

Joseph (knee) was a full participant in practice Thursday.

Analysis: The veteran cornerback returned to the field after being limited in Wednesday's session. Joseph will be going up against Larry Fitzgerald and the Cardinals' passing attack this Sunday, so his knee will definitely be something to keep an eye on throughout the contest.

Joseph (knee) appears ready to go for Sunday's matchup against the Rams.

Analysis: Joseph logged a limited practice session Thursday, but it looks like the Texans were just exercising caution with their starting cornerback. Barring any setbacks, the veteran appears on track for Sunday's contest.

Joseph (knee) was a limited participant at Thursday's practice.

Analysis: Joseph moved from a non-participant Wednesday to limited Thursday, leaving him trending in the right direction to suit up Sunday against the Rams.

Joseph did not participate in Wednesday's practice because of a knee injury, but he's expected to play Sunday against the Rams, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Analysis: The Texans will need Joseph and whatever other bodies they have on defense this week against the Rams, who lead the NFL with 32.9 points per game.

Joseph returned to Sunday's game against the Colts after being held out due to a leg injury.

Analysis: Joseph was only held out for a drive before he was ready to re-enter the game. The veteran cornerback was called for holding on his first drive back, but he has compiled four solo tackles so far Sunday.

Joseph suffered a leg injury Sunday against the Colts and is questionable to return, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Analysis: Joseph was nursing shin and quad injuries ahead of Sunday's matchup, and this injury may be related. The Texans now have just three healthy cornerbacks active Sunday, so a quick return by Joseph is extra important.

Joseph (shin/quadriceps) is active for Sunday's game against the Colts.

Analysis: The Texans had listed Joseph as questionable with the dual injuries after he was only able to practice on a limited basis during the week. Neither injury apparently presented too much discomfort in pregame warmups, so Joseph should be prepared to serve in his usual role Sunday as the Texans' top cover cornerback.