Team news: Indianapolis Colts | Page 14

Everything I’m hearing right now about the status of things with Colts RB Nyheim Hines indicates odds are good he will be traded by tomorrow’s deadline.

Related players: Jonathan Taylor, Deon Jackson, Phillip Lindsay, D'vonte Price

Holder went to say say in this tweet the Colts haven’t got the offer they want just yet, but there’s a strong feeling they just might. This is a situation to watch. Hines' pass catching and change of pace ability could serve a team well down the stretch, while the Colts would likely elevate Jackson into the RB2 role after he stood out as the team's main back when Taylor was out. Lindsay could also move up to the team's RB3 spot.

Matt Ryan is done. He’s out. He won’t play again, for reasons rooted in his contract. Put simply, once the team decided (and it was clear from coach Frank Reich’s comments that owner Jim Irsay made the decision) that Ryan won’t be the quarterback in 2023, it was time to pull the plug on 2022.

Ryan’s contract already pays him $12 million in base salary next year, fully guaranteed. But millions more would become fully guaranteed if Ryan suffers an injury that keeps him from passing a physical by the third day of the 2023 league year in March, when the payments that are currently guaranteed for injury become fully guaranteed.

Specifically, Ryan has $7.205 million in additional 2023 salary guaranteed for injury, and a 2023 roster bonus of $10 million, which is also guaranteed for injury. That’s $17.205 million that the Colts would potentially owe Ryan (in addition to the $12 million) if he emerges from the 2022 season with an injury that prevents him from passing a physical by the middle of March.

Related players: Sam Ehlinger, Nick Foles

Ehlinger officially becomes the starting quarterback of the Colts. If he fails or gets injured, Foles will take over. And if Foles gets injured, the quarterback will be anyone but Ryan, the story said.

Colts head coach Frank Reich said QB Sam Ehlinger will start vs. Washington as Matt Ryan recovers from a Grade 2 shoulder sprain. Nick Foles will operate as the backup quarterback.

Though we would typically see this as a downgrade for the fantasy pieces in Indianapolis, it honestly doesn't get much worse than a Matt Ryan who can't push the ball down the field. It's very possible that Ehlinger will remain the starter for the immediate future.

Regarding Jonathan Taylor, everything points to him playing right now. Not yet official, but has practiced all week.

Related Players: Nyheim Hines, Deon Jackson

A full week of practice almost always correlates to a full workload in the subsequent game. Taylor is a top-ten option, even in a tough matchup with the Titans' run defense.

Reporters at the open portion of Colts practice noted that running backs Jonathan Taylor and Nyheim Hines were both participating in the session.

Taylor has missed the last two games with an ankle injury while Hines was sidelined by a concussion.

Colts’ RBs Nyheim Hines (concussion) and Jonathan Taylor (ankle) both downgraded Sunday to out.

Related players: Deon Jackson, Phillip Lindsay

Deon Jackson out-touched Phillip Lindsay 17-to-14 and ran twice as many routes in W5. Jackson out-snapped Lindsay 58% to 38%. Jackson wasn't particularly productive in college but he has a nice athletic profile per Player Profiler. Jackson wasn't particularly productive in college but he has a nice athletic profile per Player Profiler. Consider Jackson a volume-driven low-end RB2 while Lindsay is a low-end RB3.

Colts running back Jonathan Taylor has returned to practice today, a good sign for his chances to play Sunday vs. the Jaguars.

Related Players: Deon Jackson, Phillip Lindsay

It is unlikely that the team would be bringing Taylor back in anything other than a full-time workhorse role. He is safe to plug back in lineups, assuming he is a full-go on Friday.

Jonathan Taylor is not practicing.

The tweet went on to say Taylor made an appearance, put his jersey on and was getting work in with a trainer. Taylor didn't play in Week 5, which was a Thursday night game. Most assumed the turnaround was too quick so the fact Taylor's isn't practicing isn't great news. Taylor will likely need to log some sessions before having a chance to play in Week 6.

Colts ruled out Jonathan Taylor for Thursday night’s game in Denver.

Related players: Nyheim Hines, Phillip Lindsay, Deon Jackson

In the end, the turnaround was just too quick. The hope is the extra time off will allow Taylor to play in Week 6, which is an early home game against the Jags. Hines could benefit the most with Taylor out of the lineup. Newly-signed Lindsay could also see some work if he's activated, possibly ahead of Jackson.