Team news: Indianapolis Colts | Page 2

Running back Khalil Herbert is on to Cincinnati.

Tom Pelissero of NFL Media reports that the Bengals have agreed to a trade with the Bears that will add Herbert to their backfield for the rest of the season. A 2025 seventh-round pick will go back to the Bears as compensation.

Related players: Chase Brown, Zack Moss, Trayveon Williams, D'Andre Swift, Roschon Johnson, Travis Homer

Moss is dealing with a neck injury and there is no timetable for his return, we reported on Monday. So the Bengals needed help at the position. Herbert should slide in as the team's RB2 behind Brown, who is the clear RB1. Meanwhile in Chicago, Johnson becomes an interesting fantasy addition as the team's clear RB2 behind Swift. Swift started slow this season, but has come on as of late, however, Johnson could see his value climb and is probably worth adding off the wire if you have the room.

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.

Shane Steichen said he’s optimistic that DeForest Buckner and Jonathan Taylor could practice this week.

Related players: Trey Sermon, Tyler Goodson

Taylor has been out since Week 4 and it would be a good sign if he can get back on the practice field leading up to a big game against the Texans. Goodson led the team in RB carries over Sermon 14-8, although Sermon was a bit more productive and also added a catch for 13 yards. Taylor's return would be a welcome addition to the offense and we'll hopefully know more as the week goes on. The Texans-Colts game is an early Sunday game so owners will have time to adjust lineups.

Per Colts HC Shane Steichen, CB Chris Lammons, RB Jonathan Taylor are OUT Sunday vs. Dolphins.

QB Anthony Richardson, "will be ready to roll, yeah."

Related Players: Trey Sermon, Tyler Goodson

We can safely ignore the Colts backfield, but if you're truly desperate, Goodson can be plugged into Flexes, as the option who is getting some pass-game work.

Colts HC Shane Steichen says WR Michael Pittman Jr. (back) will play Sunday against the Dolphins.

Related Players: Josh Downs, Alec Pierce, Adonai Mitchell

Even though Pittman has be cleared, he should remain on benches in all but the deepest leagues. This would have been a decent spot if Tua Tagovailoa were playing on the other side, but this game could easily turn into a slog.

Colts HC Shane Steichen told reporters that QB Anthony Richardson will play Sunday if he does not suffer any setbacks from his oblique injury.

Related players: Joe Flacco

Richardson was close to playing in Week 6 according to reports, so this was the hopeful outcome heading into Week 7. The Colts are in an early game against the Dolphins so owners will have plenty of time to make adjustments if for some reason there is a setback. But for now, Richardson looks good to go.