Team news: Indianapolis Colts | Page 15

Jonathan Taylor watching walkthrough.

Related players: Nyheim Hines, Phillip Lindsay

Other reports said the team just doesn't know right now if Taylor will play. HC Frank Reich said Taylor isn't ready today but added "we'll see" about Thursday. The short week certainly doesn't help Taylor's chances, so this will likely come down to a game-time call. Even if Taylor goes, owners will have to at least think about any kind of snap count. Hines and Lindsay look like they will split the workload if Taylor is out.

If Jonathan Taylor is not able to play, Indianapolis would likely increase the role for Nyheim Hines, who has 17 catches this season but just eight carries for 11 yards as a runner.

The Colts might also turn to veteran running back Phillip Lindsay, who has spent the first four weeks on the practice squad.

“If JT’s not up, Phillip will work into the equation,” Reich said.

Lindsay would be returning home.

Related players: Deon Jackson

There was no mention in the story of Jackson, who would seem like a better choice to get work along with Hines, but the Colts look like they will lean toward the veteran Lindsay for some carries. Jackson is more of a dynasty stash at this point. Lindsay has bounced around the league as of late, and the injury to Taylor isn't expected to keep him out long if he does have to miss time.

Tests on Colts’ RB Jonathan Taylor’s ankle were negative, and he has a chance to play Thursday night versus the Broncos.

Related Players: Nyheim Hines, Deon Jackson

Taylor was having a rough go of it on Sunday night, as his 20 carries amounted to 42 yards, and his single reception (three targets) turned into one yard. He ended his day with a fumble, and Nyheim Hines was in for the attempted game-tying drive in the waning minutes of their loss to the Titans. Hines would be the next man up and worthy of a Flex play if Taylor were to miss Thursday Night Football.

Colts RB Jonathan Taylor was a full participant at practice today after he missed Wednesday with a toe injury.

Related Players: Nyheim Hines

Wednesday was Taylor's first missed practice since high school, but he was back to normal Thursday ahead of Week 4's bout against the Titans 29th-ranked rush defense.

Colts RB Jonathan Taylor (toe) didn't practice today.

Pelissero went on to tweet some less scary news for owners, saying it's his understanding it's precautionary after Taylor had some soreness coming out of the Chiefs game. Indy hosts the Titans on Sunday. "He'll be ready to roll," source said.

Robert Saleh says Zach Wilson is back.

Related players: Joe Flacco

The Jets say Wilson's knee is 100% and he's expected to practice fully this week. Assuming all continues to go well, Wilson will start in Week 4.

“Zach Wilson’s the future of the organization. We all know that,” Saleh said. “As soon as the doctors clear him, we’ll get him on the field.”

Related players: Joe Flacco

The author played "what if," and imagined Flacco comes out in Week 3 and throws four TDs and knocks off the Bengals - would the team still turn the ball over to Wilson? While the author admitted it isn't likely, he suggested letting Flacco play until his "37-year-old wheels fall off." It makes sense to ride the hot hand, especially if Flacco would again play well. It could be coach-speak, but it seems like the Jets are prepared to go with Wilson once he's ready.

Michael Pittman Jr. and Alec Pierce are practicing today as scheduled.

Related players: Parris Campbell, Ashton Dulin, Mike Strachan

The return of both WRs would be a welcome one for the Colts, especially Pittman. PIttman missed Week 2 but reports said he'd have a shot to play in Week 3 so this is encouraging. The Colts had to roll with Campbell, Dulin and Strachan in Week 2 and were blanked by the Jags. Dulin did post a 5-79-0 line in Week 2 and could still be a factor in the offense going forward.

Rookie WR Alec Pierce is one of a handful of players who have already been ruled out for Sunday's contest against the Jaguars.

Related Players: Parris Campbell, Ashton Dulin

Matt Ryan's debut performance as the Colts' quarterback was middle-of-the-road at best, though he did rack up 352 yards passing in the Week 1 overtime tie. Ashton Dulin is the most likely scenario to be the 1v1 replacement for Pierce, with Parris Campbell continuing to operate out of the slot on the majority of his snaps. Meanwhile, there's no signs pointing towards a drop in Michael Pittman's 28% target share.

Zach Wilson participated in practice on Wednesday for the first time since he hurt his knee in August. Wilson had meniscus surgery four weeks ago to address the injury and has been rehabbing away from the field until this week.

Related players: Joe Flacco, Mike White

Flacco was already announced as the starter for Week 2. Saleh said before the opener that Wilson won’t be available until at least Week 4. Sticking to that plan would give Wilson three weeks of practice before he would make his 2022 debut against the Steelers, the story concluded. Flacco was nearly pulled in Week 1 and the crowd was chanting for White to replace him. Flacco may not make it to Wilson's return.