Mark Brunell wants Colts QB Andrew Luck to avoid unnecessary hits and protect himself if he is able to play Thursday night against the Texans. (0:46)

The Indianapolis Colts remain uncertain which quarterback will start against the Houston Texans on Thursday night, but it would not be a surprise if it were Matt Hasselbeck, team and league sources told ESPN.

Colts coach Chuck Pagano said his team will "do the right thing," and that could mean resting Andrew Luck and his injured shoulder.

Luck plans to test his shoulder Thursday to get an idea whether or not he can play, but the Colts are prepared to start Hasselbeck if need be. Luck threw lightly at practice Tuesday and the team doesn't know if he'll be able to play, despite Luck's optimism earlier in the week.

Luck wants to play in his hometown of Houston, but it will be physically challenging.

Hasselbeck has his own issues. He has been dealing with a virus this week that has limited his practice time, a Colts official told ESPN on Thursday.