Team news: Indianapolis Colts | Page 4

Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson was held out of Thursday's final offseason practice with right shoulder soreness, but the second-year player and coach Shane Steichen both insisted the decision was purely precautionary.

Richardson sustained an AC joint sprain last season that required season-ending surgery, but he recovered quickly and has been the Colts' starting quarterback throughout this spring's workouts. He was seen with trainers midway through Wednesday's practice, addressing the shoulder before returning to the lineup briefly and then giving way to backup Joe Flacco in the final period.

Richardson began throwing a few months ago, so this isn't a huge concern for just a single day. We'll keep an eye on the situation but don't believe it's going to keep him out of Week 1 action.

For the #Colts and Michael Pittman Jr., it's a 3-year, $70M deal that can reach up to $71.5M max. $46M guaranteed.

Related Players: Alec Pierce, Josh Downs

This is a good look for the Colts to scrap the franchise tag and get QB Anthony Richardson a solid cornerstone as he continues to adapt to the NFL. Look for Indy to continue adding to the pass-catching group in the NFL Draft next month.

Colts’ WR Michael Pittman Jr. cleared concussion protocol and is on track to play Sunday vs. the Raiders.

Related Players: Alec Pierce, Josh Downs, D.J. Montgomery

Pittman was ruled out late in the week ahead of what looked like a good on-paper matchup against the Falcons. He was clearly missed, as the passing offense never got going with any consistency. Now that he is cleared in time to play Week 17, he should be considered a WR2 against the Raiders.

This is not a declarative statement about their statuses for Sunday, but WR Michael Pittman Jr. (concussion) and RT Braden Smith (knee) were very active in today’s practice. Smith looked like a guy ready to play IMO.

Related Players: Alec Pierce, Josh Downs, D.J. Montgomery

Pittman was ruled out late in the week ahead of what looked like a good on-paper matchup against the Falcons. He was clearly missed, as the passing offense never got going with any consistency. If he is cleared in time to play Week 17, he should be considered a WR2 against the Raiders.

Steichen confirms WR Michael Pittman Jr. is still in concussion protocol, "but he's progressing well."

Related Players: Alec Pierce, Josh Downs, D.J. Montgomery

Pittman was ruled out late in the week ahead of what looked like a good on-paper matchup against the Falcons. He was clearly missed, as the passing offense never got going with any consistency. If he is cleared in time to play Week 17, he should be considered a WR2 against the Raiders.

Colts RB Jonathan Taylor (thumb) and WR Michael Pittman Jr. (concussion) are practicing for the second straight day. Pittman is not in a red jersey, meaning again that he’s been cleared for full contact in practice.

Related Players: Josh Downs, Alec Pierce, D.J. Montgomery

Good sign that Pittman will be hitting the field this weekend, which makes him a WR2/3 play in Week 16. This also raises the floor for managers looking towards Gardner Minshew as a QB streamer.

Colts RB Jonathan Taylor and WR Michael Pittman, Jr. were both officially full participants in practice today.

Related Players: Josh Downs, Alec Pierce, D.J. Montgomery

Good sign that Pittman will be hitting the field this weekend, which makes him a WR2/3 play in Week 16. This also raises the floor for managers looking towards Gardner Minshew as a QB streamer.

Colts RB Jonathan Taylor returns to practice at full speed for the first time since thumb surgery. Whether he plays on Sunday will be determined by how he holds up.

"You've definitely got to see it full speed at practice for sure," Taylor said today.

Related Players: Trey Sermon, Tyler Goodson

With Zack Moss potentially looking at a multi-week absence, we have to assume Taylor will be getting a huge workload ahead of Sermon and Goodson, which makes him an RB1 option against the Falcons if he suits up.

The Colts did not practice today, but on their estimated report:

- RB Jonathan Taylor was a full participant
- WR Michael Pittman, Jr. was a limited participant
- RB Zack Moss was a non-participant

Still early in the week to project exact usage for the Colts skill position players with so much still up in the air, but we'll keep an eye on it. If Pittman does go, he is in a decent spot against the Falcons, and would boost Gardner Minshew into streaming consideration.

Colts coach Shane Steichen told reporters that RB Jonathan Taylor is progressing well and will participate in the walk-through today (as he's done the last few weeks).

There remains optimism that Taylor will go this week, but he'll be evaluated on a daily basis.

Related Players: Zack Moss, Trey Sermon, Tyler Goodson

The Colts backfield is an abject mess for fantasy purposes right now, with Moss also pushing to play after injuring his shoulder last week. As of right now, we should be trying to avoid all of the pieces until we get some form of confirmation on Taylor/Moss, or what the workload may look like for Sermon/Goodson.