Team news: Indianapolis Colts | Page 3

Shane Steichen ruling just one #Colts player OUT for Sunday:

-Jonathan Taylor (ankle)

Michael Pittman Jr. (back) is feeling really good, per Steichen.

Anthony Richardson will be a game-time decision.

Related Players: Trey Sermon, Tyler Goodson, Joe Flacco

It hadn't been looking good for Taylor throughout the week, so maybe the bigger news is that we don't have any confirmation about Richardson's status, which has a huge impact on lineup decisions.

There are a lot of moving parts here, but we're assuming Pittman won't play and that Richardson *will*, which gives a slight boost to Josh Downs and Alec Pierce, who should be considered WR3s with upside for more.

No sight of Jonathan Taylor to start Colts practice.

Unless he comes out late, that’s a second straight missed week of practices for him.

Related Players: Trey Sermon, Tyler Goodson

What seemed to be a minor injury now looks like it will keep Taylor out for a second straight week. While Sermon easily held the RB1 role last week, he wasn't terribly impactful on the ground, doing most of his work as a receiver out of the backfield. He had his own injury scare earlier in the week, but looks good to go for Week 6. Consider him a fringe RB2/3 with Anthony Richardson (presumably) back at the helm.

Colts QB Anthony Richardson (oblique) was a full participant in today’s practice and is on track to return to the lineup on Sunday at Tennessee.

Related Players: Joe Flacco

The boost we saw to all of the receivers due to the pass-happy offense under Flacco is slightly downgraded now that Richardson is back, though Michael Pittman Jr. is out for the short-term, so maybe Alec Pierce, Josh Downs, and Adonai Mitchell see a boost anyways. Richardson has a less-than-ideal matchup this week, so it may be best to give him a week, depending on your other options.

Colts WR Michael Pittman is dealing with a back injury that is now expected to sideline him multiple weeks, per sources. Injured reserve is an option.

Related Players: Josh Downs, Alec Pierce, Adonai Mitchell

This should push Downs into WR2 consideration, regardless of whether or not Anthony Richardson returns in Week 6. Pierce, and now, Mitchell become more interesting as respective WR3/Desperation Flex options.

There’s no quarterback controversy in Indianapolis.

Joe Flacco has completed 49-of-70 passes for 527 yards and five touchdowns since Anthony Richardson injured his oblique early in a Week Four win over the Steelers, but head coach Shane Steichen made it clear on Monday that the team is going to put Richardson back in the lineup once he’s medically cleared.

“He is our starting quarterback,” Steichen said, via Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan.

Richardson was a limited participant in practice last week, the story said. This Wednesday will bring word on how much he’s doing at practice as the team moves toward their Week 6 trip to Tennessee the story added.

The Chiefs place WR Rashee Rice on IR as he awaits more info; Giants WR Malik Nabers faces an uphill battle this week; Colts RB Jonathan Taylor (high-ankle) likely misses time.

Related Players: Trey Sermon, Tyler Goodson

Rapoport continues that "it's mild, though he is likely to miss some time," and it would "be a surprise" if we see him suit up in Week 5. Bad news ahead of a great matchup against this Jaguars team that seems to be circling the drain already. Fire Sermon up as a fringe RB2/3 if Taylor is forced to sit.

I asked Colts RB Jonathan Taylor if he’ll practice today (didn’t answer but later said “no”) and what will tell him he’s ready (or not) for Sunday:

“What’s today? Thursday, Friday, Saturday — so we got 48, really 72, but really 48 hours, so continuing to take it day by day. …”

Related Players: Trey Sermon

In a follow up question Taylor mentioned that this ankle injury "isn't as bad as 2022", but that just means he doesn't expect to hit IR. Tomorrow's injury report will tell us a lot, but it's not trending in the right direction. Consider Sermon a fringe RB2/3 if JT ends up sitting out Week 5.

Colts RB Jonathan Taylor is not practicing today due to his ankle injury.

Related Players: Trey Sermon, Tyler Goodson

It's still early in the week, so there's no need to panic, but make sure you have Sermon on your roster where he's available. Sermon would very likely work as the RB1, but a rotation or simply a lighter workload is probably in the cards. Consider him an RB3 for fantasy purposes if Taylor is sidelined in Week 5.

Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson left a game with an injury for the fourth time in his eight NFL starts, but it doesn’t sound like this hip issue or Richardson’s history is a source of great concern for the team.

Related players: Joe Flacco

The story went on to say that Richardson said after Sunday’s win over the Steelers that he thought he avoided a serious injury, but would be going for an MRI. On Monday, head coach Shane Steichen said that Richardson’s read appears to be correct and that the team isn’t worried about Richardson being too much of an injury risk, according to the story. We'll have to monitor the injury this week in practice ,as there was no word about his status for Week 5. The ageless Flacco would get the start if Richardson can't go.

Steichen said Colts are not considering short-term IR for Jonathan Taylor.

Related players: Trey Sermon

Taylor suffered what is said to be a "minor" high ankle sprain in Week 4. There is no word on Taylor's status going forward but given it's still a high ankle sprain, his Week 5 availability is at least in question. Sermon should be picked up if not already owned as a Taylor owner. He'll likely be a hot commodity on this week's waiver wire.