Team news: Indianapolis Colts

Colts LT Bernhard Raimann (knee) is OUT for Sunday’s game against the Jets, per Indy HC Shane Steichen.

WR Michael Pittman Jr. (back) will play after missing last week’s game.

Related Players: Josh Downs, Alec Pierce, Adonai Mitchell

It's hard to stomach playing any Colts wide receivers this week, but Downs and Pittman can be considered in the WR4 range for desperate fantasy managers.

Anthony Richardson started just 10 NFL games before being benched, but now returns and will be the starter for the rest of the season.

The Colts are adamant they have not given up on him, and coach Shane Steichen noted today he's seen Richardson make strides over the last two weeks.

Related Players: Joe Flacco

Richardson blew up in the fantasy box score in Week 1 (26.1 points, three all-purpose touchdowns) but has been held under 12 points in his five other appearances. He should be kept on benches for now.

After Sunday’s loss to the Bills, Colts head coach Shane Steichen said that Joe Flacco will remain the team’s quarterback “until I say otherwise.”

Steichen didn’t say otherwise on Monday. At a press conference, Steichen confirmed that Flacco will get another start when the Colts face the Jets in Week 11.

Related players: Anthony Richardson

The Colts benched Richardson in favor of Flacco two weeks ago and they’ve lost both games since the move was made, the story pointed out. Flacco was 42-of-62 for 451 yards, two touchdowns, and four interceptions in the losses to the Vikings and Bills, the story added. Richardson had his helmet on and looked like he was ready to get back on the field after Flacco threw his second INT early on against the Bills, but the Colts stuck with Flacco. It's a winnable game against the struggling Jets this week, and it looks like the Colts continue to trust Flacco more.

Shane Steichen has ruled out Michael Pittman Jr. (back, finger) for Sunday.

No practice this week for Pitt.

Bernhard Raimann is cleared.

Related Players: Josh Downs, Alec Pierce, Adonai Mitchell

Josh Downs is the only reliable pass-catcher in Indianapolis as it stands, and should be in strong lineup consideration as a WR2 with Pittman on the sidelines.

Pittman DNP again.

Related Players: Josh Downs, Alec Pierce, Adonai Mitchell

Things aren't trending well for Michael Pittman Jr. to see the field in Week 10, but we'll have to watch for Friday practice reports to confirm. Josh Downs is the only reliable pass-catcher in Indianapolis as it stands, and should be in strong lineup consideration regardless of Pittman's status.

Colts HC Shane Steichen: Joe Flacco starts at QB vs. Buffalo on Sunday.

Related players: Anthony Richardson

Flacco struggled again in Week 9, going 16 for 27 for 179 yards and an INT. The Colts defense scored their only touchdown of the game. This week the Colts host the Bills, so it won't get any easier for Flacco and the Colts offense. From a fantasy angle, Flacco was last productive back in Week 6 in a 20-17 win over the Titans when he threw for two touchdowns but still only had just 189 yards passing.

While the Colts are benching Anthony Richardson for Joe Flacco, they’re not planning for this to be permanent.

That’s according to Stephen Holder of ESPN, who noted on Tuesday that a team source explained that Indianapolis wants Richardson to take a step back, take a break from the day-to-day pressures of being the starter, and try to grow.

“We are not quitting on Anthony,” Holder’s source told him. “That will be the story, but that is not the case.”

The story added that Richardson was pretty devastated by the news, so it remains to be seen how he takes things going forward. The Colts feel Flacco gives them the best chance to win at this point as they sit at 4-4 on the season and certainly in the think of the playoff race as things stand now.

A QB change for the Colts: Indianapolis is benching former first-round pick Anthony Richardson and turning to veteran Joe Flacco.

Schefter added the Colts coaches met this morning and made the decision. The signs were there after HC Shane Steichen said everything will be evaluated. Reports Monday said the team also met privately with Richardson after he took himself out of the game this past week because of needing a break. It's not really clear if this is a one-week benching or more long term. The Colts are in the thick of things sitting at 4-4 and likely feel that Flacco gives them a better chance to win and remain in the hunt for a playoff spot.

Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson asked to come out of Sunday’s loss to the Texans for a play because he “needed a break” after doing a lot of running on the two previous plays.

Shane Steichen was asked at his press conference if Anthony Richardson will be the starting quarterback against the Vikings this week.

“We’re evaluating everything,” Steichen said, via multiple reporters.

Related players: Joe Flacco

Richardson reportedly needed a break during Week 8 action. Richardson missed two games with an oblique injury earlier this year and has completed 44.4 percent of his passes with four touchdowns and seven interceptions in his six starts, the story said. Flacco would presumably return to the starting lineup if the Colts decide that it is time to make a change, the story added.

Jonathan Taylor (ankle) and DeForest Buckner (ankle) both practiced FULL on Thursday.

Colts who haven’t practiced this week:

-Jaylon Carlies
-Genard Avery

Related Players: Trey Sermon, Tyler Goodson

If Taylor is indeed 100% heading into Houston, he should be back on RB1 radars.