INDIANAPOLIS — To a man, the Indianapolis Colts know the importance of Sunday’s home game with AFC South rival Houston.

If the Colts prevail this week, the franchise would take its second straight division title and win the ninth AFC South crown in team history.

While a loss to the Texans wouldn’t keep Indianapolis from winning the division, it would allow Houston to cut the Colts’ lead to a single-game with just two remaining — road trips to Dallas next week and the regular-season finale at Tennessee.

So, yes, Indianapolis head coach Chuck Pagano is fully aware of what Sunday’s game means in the overall scheme of things.

“Well yeah, it’s a huge game we all know because it is the next game. We’ve got a red-hot Houston team coming in here, a division game. We know the implications, we know the ramifications, we know all that stuff. We’re going to focus on the things that we need to focus on and that’s sticking to the process,” Pagano previewed.

“That’s preparing well, practicing well and giving ourselves the best chance. (To) put our guys in position to make plays and win our matchups and do a great job that way. But we’ve got to prepare. I think everybody’s going to certainly know the obvious.”

There’s no doubt that Houston will be ready.

“We have an opportunity (to clinch the division). We’re going to prepare the way we need to prepare. Throw out the records. It’s a division game. We understand where (the Texans) mindset is. And we’ll prepare accordingly,” he said.

According to the Colts coach, while Sunday’s game is important, cleaning up the many mistakes from last week’s 25-24 come-from-behind win at Cleveland is equally key to any success his team hopes to have against Houston.

“If you win the game (you know) what the implications are, where you’re at and all that stuff. But we’re not going to get ahead of ourselves. We’ve got things to clean up. We’ve got to play better,” Pagano said. “If we want to achieve our number one goal, we know we’ve got to win a game on Sunday to do that. If we want to move on and take the next step, do the things we set out to do, we’ve got to play better.”

Injuries continue to be an issue, particularly along the offensive line. Finding enough healthy bodies to line up against the Texans defensive line, and defensive end J.J. Watt, is imperative.

“Yeah, it’s all hands on deck. Obviously we’re going to get (offensive guard) Hugh (Thornton) back at some point. We’re going to get X back this week, Xavier Nixon. We’ve got two guys that came off the bench in a pinch and played well (against the Browns), played winning football. So again, it’s that time of the year. You’re going to deal with injuries and everybody’s got them,” the Colts coach said.

“We’ve been hit hard again at the offensive line. Whoever you’re looking for (as a replacement) out there, (former Seattle Pro Bowl offensive tackle) Walter Jones is not out there right now. As much as we’d like to be able to pluck one of those guys, they’re not there. If you can find one, let me know. They’re not there. Everybody’s trying to poach everybody else’s practice squad for guys, this, that and the other.”

Indianapolis added offensive tackle Andrew McDonald last week. And there are guys on the practice squad that could be added to the active roster.

“Between the guys that we’ve got, the guy we just picked up (McDonald), (practice squad offensive guard David) Arkin who’s been here and practiced well. We’ve got guys and they’re preparing and getting ready to play just in case their number’s called,” Pagano said.

NOTES: C A. Q. Shipley played most of the game against Cleveland last week after rookie starter Jonotthan Harrison was sidelined with a burner/stinger. Harrison did not return to the game and if needed he is ready to start. … Among those not practicing Wednesday were S Sergio Brown (illness), S LaRon Landry (illness) and G Joe Reitz (ankle). WR Reggie Wayne (torn pectoral) fully practiced Wednesday, a day he usually gets as veteran’s day off. Wayne will set a Colts franchise record Sunday by playing in his 209th career game. He is currently tied for the franchise mark with former Indianapolis QB Peyton Manning. Over 14 years, Wayne has played in 208 games, has 1,061 receptions and 82 total touchdowns. … CB Vontae Davis (concussion) fully practiced Wednesday, although he did wear a no-contact red jersey during the workout. Davis has been cleared to resume practice but has not been cleared to play on Sunday.