Team news: Indianapolis Colts

The Colts downgraded quarterback Anthony Richardson to out for Sunday’s game against the Giants with back and foot injuries.

It’s back to Joe Flacco as the Colts have been on a seesaw this season with their quarterbacks. The Colts are hoping to still have slim playoff hopes by the time they play Sunday but would be eliminated if both the Chargers and Broncos win Saturday. The offense as a whole takes a hit with Flacco, our QB25, under center. Proceed with caution on Josh Downs and Michael Pittman.

Colts HC Shane Steichen: QB Anthony Richardson (back/foot) questionable vs. Giants. 'We'll see how next 48 hours go.' Did not practice this week.

Related Players: Joe Flacco

So he's not officially out, but fantasy managers are going to need a backup plan. If Flacco goes, it gives a boost to the entire WR room, pushing Josh Downs and Michael Pittman Jr. up to WR3 consideration.

osh Downs and Ryan Kelly going for a 3rd straight day.

Guys I haven’t spotted or don’t look to be practicing;

-Braden Smith
-Mo Alie-Cox
-Ashton Dulin

Related Players: Michael Pittman Jr., Alec Pierce, Adonai Mitchell

Pittman mustered all of 6.7 fantasy points in Downs' Week 13 absence, so his re-joining the lineup certainly doesn't boost his fantasy stock. Consider him and Downs stay-away WR4s as Anthony Richardson's troubling completion rate makes the passing attack an aggressive fade.

Lots of personnel news for the Colts...

*WR Josh Downs will practice today.

*C Ryan Kelly and LB Jaylon Carlies will be designated for return from IR today.

*RT Braden Smith is still dealing with a personal matter and is not expected to play at Denver on Sunday.

Related Players: Michael Pittman Jr., Alec Pierce, Adonai Mitchell

Pittman mustered all of 6.7 fantasy points in Downs' Week 13 absence, so his re-joining the lineup certainly doesn't boost his fantasy stock. Consider him and Downs stay-away WR4s as Anthony Richardson's troubling completion rate makes the passing attack an aggressive fade.

Colts HC Shane Steichen ruled out WRs Josh Downs and Ashton Dulin for Sunday’s game vs. the Patriots.

Related Players: Michael Pittman Jr., Adonai Mitchell, Alec Pierce

This should raise the floor of every other receiving option, but that floor is admittedly still quite low. Bump Pittman up into WR3/4 territory.

The Colts lost wide receiver Josh Downs to a shoulder injury during Sunday’s loss to the Lions.

Related players: Michael Pittman Jr., Alec Pierce, Adonai Mitchell, Ashton Dulin

Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that Downs is considered week-to-week and that he will be a long shot to get cleared to play against New England so it looks like the Colts will be without him in Week 13, according to the post. As the story points out, Downs had three catches for 27 yards before leaving Sunday’s game. He has 53 catches for 594 yards and four touchdowns in 10 games this season.

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.