Garret Wallow saw a significant jump in playing time on Sunday.

The rookie linebacker out of TCU took the field for 18 snaps on defense in the 31-0 loss to the Colts at NRG Stadium. He'd not logged a defensive snap since Week 5 against the Patriots when he was in for a pair of plays. His previous high was nine snaps, which came in Week 4 at Buffalo.

Throughout 2021, though, the fifth-round pick has been a steady contributor on special teams, routinely in for around 15 to 20 snaps per contest.

Against Indianapolis, he registered a pair of tackles and continued to impress his fellow linebackers.

"Good player since the beginning," LB Kamu Grugier-Hill said. "I'm excited for him. To come in, get some legit playing against a good team, playoff team. I think he did well, too."

Wallow is part of a rookie draft class that has played fairly extensively for the Texans throughout the season. QB Davis Mills finished Sunday's game and started six others. WR Nico Collins has caught 18 passes for 228 yards in nine games. TE Brevin Jordan wasn't active until Week 8, but in his first five NFL games, he's caught a pair of touchdowns and been targeted multiple times per game. DL Roy Lopez has started all but the first game of the year.

Special Teams Coordinator Frank Ross has seen a lot of Wallow this season, and he's enthused by the rookie's progress and performance.

"Very proud of Garret," Ross said. "Studies hard, works hard, reads all the materials, asks questions. So, to this point, he's done the things we've asked of him as a rookie and excited for his future where he is going."

In the fourth quarter, with the Colts facing a first-and-goal at the Houston five-yard line, Wallow sniffed out a short pass from Carson Wentz to Mo Alie-Cox and brought the Colts tight end down at the line of scrimmage. He saw quite a bit of action, and LB Christian Kirksey enjoyed what he saw from Wallow.

"Garret's been amazing," Kirksey said. "He shows up in practice. When Wallow came in, he just fit right in and made the plays he's supposed to make and was having fun doing it."

Wallow and the Texans look to get back in the win column this Sunday when they host the Seattle Seahawks at NRG Stadium in Week 14.Kickoff is set for noon CT. Click here for tickets