Andre Johnson, the Houston Texans’ wide receiver and their lone Pro Bowl selection last season, might not play Sunday.

Johnson is a key to the Texans’ offense.

He’s a big, physical receiver with a history of making big plays.

All of that is true, Dungy said, and he said it may be true that Johnson won’t play, but the Colts’ head coach also said that doesn’t change much for the Colts as they prepared for Sunday’s match-up of AFC South leaders.

“You hate to say they’re not going to miss Andre Johnson,” Dungy said as the four-time defending AFC South champion Colts (2-0) prepared to play the Texans (2-0) at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas, Sunday at 1 p.m.

“He’s a great player, so I’m sure they’re going to miss him, but he caught three balls against us last year and they controlled the game without him.”

Johnson, the Texans’ first-round selection in the 2003 NFL Draft and a Pro Bowl selection in 2004 and last season, has 14 receptions for 262 yards and three touchdowns in two games this season.

In a 34-21 victory over the Carolina Panthers this past Sunday, Johnson sustained a knee injury. Wearing a knee brace early Wednesday afternoon, Johnson addressed the media in Houston. Asked if he would play, he said, “Right now, looking at it, I probably won’t.”

“It’s frustrating,” Johnson said. “The stage is set. To have the World Champs coming in, the first time us being 2-0, they’re undefeated, so it’s a big game.

“I wish I could be playing. That’s all I can say.”

Said Texans Head Coach Gary Kubiak, “How long he’s going to be out or how quick he gets back, we’re really going to know more probably (Thursday) as they start to take him out of the immobilizer and take a look and see how he’s feeling.

“But we have to proceed, especially this week, as if the chances are he’s not going to be there. . . . But the focus will stay on the team. Like I said, we’re not going to have a chance to win anyway unless our whole football team plays well.”

Without Johnson, Colts safety Bob Sanders said the Texans are a different offense, but not necessarily a less potent one.

“It’s a big difference,” Sanders said. “Obviously, Johnson’s one of their playmakers, but I’m sure they’ll have somebody to step in and fill the void.”

The Texans’ other starting receiver, Kevin Walter, has two receptions for 17 yards this season. Johnson’s backup, Andre Davis, does not have a reception and Walters’ backup, Jacoby Jones, has two receptions for 33 yards.

“They say he’s not playing,” Colts cornerback Marlin Jackson said Wednesday of Johnson, “but we’ll see on Sunday.”

Also on Wednesday, the Colts released their first injury report of the week, with linebacker Rob Morris (abdomen), offensive tackle Ryan Diem (neck), offensive tackle Charlie Johnson (knee), tight end Dallas Clark (neck) and tight end Ben Utecht (rib) all listed as missing practice with injuries.

Outside linebacker Freddy Keiaho, who missed Sunday’s victory over the Tennessee Titans with an elbow injury, said Wednesday he expects to play against Houston.

“I’m excited to be back out there – real happy,” Keiaho said. “I felt good by the end of last week. I though I’d be able to go, but I’m up this week.

“It was hard sitting around. I got real nervous toward the end, but (backup) Tyjuan (Hagler) did a great job. He played really well and (reserve linebacker) Rocky (Boiman) played really well (starting in place of Morris). They were a big reason we won that game.”

Of Keiaho, Dungy said, “My sense is he will be ready to go. It will be hard to keep him out of the lineup.”

Morris’ status for Sunday is less certain, Dungy said.

“From what I understand, it’s one of those things where he’s going to wake up and the pain’s going to be gone one of these days. It could be tomorrow, it could be Sunday morning. It could be next week. We’ll have to see.”

Also, Dungy said Johnson is scheduled to return to practice Thursday.

“He had a couple of good days of running, and he should be on track to come back,” Dungy said.