Josh Downs Leads Colts Receivers In Week 9 Loss
Josh Downs led the receiving corps in targets, receptions, and yards in Sunday night's 21-13 loss to the Vikings, hauling in six of nine balls thrown his way for 60 yards. No other receiver on the team caught more than three passes. Unfortunately, Downs and the rest of the offense were unable to find the end zone, with the lone TD for the Colts coming on the defensive side of the ball. The good news is that the 23-year-old has garnered at least nine targets in five of the seven games he's played this season, making him the most reliable fantasy asset out of all the pass catchers on the team. The bad news is that the Bills are his Week 10 opponent, and they've allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points to WRs thus far. The UNC product is likely a WR3 in that matchup, perhaps borderline WR2 in PPR leagues.Source: ESPN
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Jonathan Taylor Stifled By Minnesota Defense In Week 9
Jonathan Taylor was held to just 48 yards on 13 carries in Sunday night's 21-13 loss to the Vikings while adding three receptions on five targets for a paltry 11 yards. It was projected to be a tough assignment coming into the contest and the Vikings' rush defense lived up to its billing, although the Indy offense as a whole never really got anything going, as it accounted for just six of the total points (two FG) with the lone touchdown coming on a defensive scoop-and-score. On the bright side, Taylor draws a Bills rush defense in Week 10 that has allowed the third-most fantasy points to the running back position, with De'Von Achane gaining 121 total yards and two touchdowns (one rushing, one receiving) against them in Week 9. The 25-year-old is probably a mid-range RB1 in that matchup.Source: ESPN
Indianapolis Colts running back Joe Flacco Ineffective As Starter In Week 9 Loss
Joe Flacco was unable to lead his team to victory after being named the team's starter, completing 16 of 27 passes for 179 yards with no touchdowns and an interception in Sunday night's 21-13 loss to the Vikings. The 39-year-old was also charged with a fumble in the game after a handoff to running back Jonathan Taylor was not handled cleanly. It was a disappointing performance against a defense that hadn't been great against the pass thus far (seventh-most fantasy points allowed to QBs coming into the week), although it does lead the league in interceptions (14). The Colts have a home date with the Bills in Week 10 who have been stingier, allowing the sixth-fewest fantasy points to QBs, so things may not get much better. The veteran figures to be a low-end QB2 again next Sunday.Source: ESPN
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Teams Inquiring On Anthony Richardson
Anthony Richardson, who was benched in favor of veteran Joe Flacco for Week 9 against the Minnesota Vikings. FOX Sports' Jordan Schultz says that several teams that he spoke to still view Richardson as a franchise-caliber QB and think that the Colts pulling the plug on him after 10 regular-season starts is "premature." Richardson's fantasy stock has taken a major hit, as he's now rostered in only 49% of Yahoo leagues after his benching, but the Colts could go back to the young signal-caller if Flacco struggles at all. Head coach Shane Steichen said himself that the Colts are "not giving up on Richardson by any means." Still, the 22-year-old's struggles as a passer have been glaring, and he's also proven to be quite injury-prone early in his NFL career.Source: FOX Sports - Jordan Schultz
Although a trade is considered unlikely, NFL teams have inquired with the Indianapolis Colts about the possibility of trading quarterback Alec Pierce A Boom/Bust Week 9 Play
Alec Pierce will get a tough draw on Sunday Night Football when his team squares off against the Minnesota Vikings. Pierce has been the epitome of a boom/bust wideout this season, with three outings of at least 16 fantasy points and five others in the single digits, including a goose egg in Week 6 against the Tennessee Titans on 89% of snaps. With veteran quarterback Joe Flacco now in command of the offense, the outlook of all Colts pass-catchers is on the rise. Additionally, Minnesota has been one of the most stout units in the league this season against opposing rushing attacks, allowing just 3.9 yards per attempt. If they can be beaten anywhere, it's through the air. Still, the 24-year-old is little more than a desperation dart throw for the contest. Pierce is RotoBaller's PPR WR63 for Week 9's slate of action.Source: ESPN
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Mo Alie-Cox Gets Upgrade At Quarterback In Week 9
Indianapolis Colts tight end Mo Alie-Cox gets an upgrade at quarterback in Week 9 with Joe Flacco under center, with eight of Cox's 13 total targets coming during Flacco's playing timeread more...
Matt Gay Not A Preferred Option At Kicker In Week 9
Matt Gay has missed just two field goals all season (12-for-14), both of which came from more than 50 yards out, but in Week 9 the 30-year-old takes on a Vikings defense that has allowed the fewest points in all of football to opposing kickers. There are a couple of things working in his favor this week, though, as quarterback Joe Flacco gives the Colts offense an upgrade, which should help get the ball up and down the field against a weak Vikings pass defense. In turn, that should help set up a couple more opportunities for the six-year pro inside U.S. Bank Stadium while being shielded from the elements. Still, with the Colts as five-point underdogs in a game with just a 46.5 over/under, there may be better options out there.Source: ESPN
Indianapolis Colts kicker Josh Downs Cleared To Play In Week 9
Josh Downs (toe) logged his second consecutive full practice on Friday. He has been removed from the final injury report and will play in Week 9. The 23-year-old has posted mixed results this season, benefitting greatly from Joe Flacco while struggling to form a rapport with Anthony Richardson. Fortunately for Downs, Richardson was benched for Flacco earlier this week. Downs has 24 catches, 217 yards, and two touchdowns through parts of three games with the veteran quarterback in 2024, and he should continue to rank as a mid-to-low fantasy WR2 for Week 9 against the Minnesota Vikings.Source: Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. Will Play In Week 9
Michael Pittman Jr. (back) has been removed from the final injury report despite being limited in practice on Friday. The 27-year-old has posted mixed results this season, benefitting greatly from Joe Flacco while struggling to form a rapport with Anthony Richardson. Fortunately for Pittman, Richardson was benched for Flacco earlier this week. Pittman has 185 yards and two touchdowns through parts of three games with the veteran quarterback in 2024, and he should continue to rank as a mid-to-low fantasy WR2 for Week 9 against the Minnesota Vikings.Source: Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Joe Flacco A QB2 In Return To Starting Role In Week 9
Joe Flacco under center in Week 9 versus the Vikings. The 39-year-old played nearly three full games for the Colts in Weeks 4 through 6, tossing at least two touchdown passes in each of the games, totaling 716 yards with a 7:1 TD:INT. While the Vikings are tough against the run, they can be beaten through the air, allowing the seventh-most fantasy points to QBs on the season, with the last four signal-callers who faced them faring even better, averaging 298 yards passing and three TDs. In a game with a 46.5 over/under and the Colts as five-point underdogs though, it doesn't foretell of a high-scoring game for the Colts, so while Flacco is a massive upgrade over Anthony Richardson, he still looks like a low-end QB2 for fantasy this week with some slight upside.Source: ESPN
The Indianapolis Colts will start Jonathan Taylor Gets Tough Assignment Versus Minnesota In Week 9
Jonathan Taylor returned in Week 8 after a three-game absence, going over 100 yards rushing with a touchdown, and does not have an injury designation heading into Week 9. Unfortunately for Taylor, it will be hard to keep the momentum going against a stout Minnesota rush defense. The Vikings have held running backs to 83.9 rush yards per game and 3.9 yards per rush attempt, both third-best in the NFL. However, seven different backs have recorded three or more receptions against the Vikings through seven games and Taylor is a capable receiver. In the only game in which he and Joe Flacco played together this season, Taylor garnered four looks from the veteran QB, hauling in three of them for 20 yards. Still, with Minnesota allowing the second-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers, the Colts may prefer to attack with their top wideouts, leaving Taylor as a back-end RB1 for Week 9.Source: ESPN
Indianapolis Colts running back Michael Pittman Jr., Josh Downs Fully Practice On Thursday
Michael Pittman Jr. (back) and Josh Downs (toe) both logged a full practice on Thursday according to James Boyd of The Athletic. This is a great sign as both wideouts were non-participants during Wednesday's initial practice session. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor their status during Friday's practice in case they face a setback. Pittman has been dealing with this back injury for a few weeks but has not missed any games. Downs has also been dealing with a lingering injury but has also not missed any time due to it. Both wideouts should be viewed as a solid options this weekend as they will face the Minnesota Vikings who have allowed the most PPR points to opposing wideouts this season.Source: James Boyd
Indianapolis Colts wide receivers Josh Downs And Michael Pittman Jr. Miss Practice Wednesday
Indianapolis Colts wide receivers Josh Downs (toe) and Michael Pittman Jr. (back) did not practice on Wednesday. Both players have been battling their respective injuries for several weeks and haveread more...
Joe Flacco, Indy's Starter Moving Forward
Joe Flacco will be the team's starter moving forward. Indianapolis is going all-in on Flacco, who they believe gives them the "best chance to win right now." Steichen also noted they have not given up on second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson. Evidently, Indy has finally realized what was immediately apparent when Richardson went down with a hip injury in Week 4 -- the veteran QB is far and away the most competent signal-caller on this squad. The 39-year-old will be a massive boon to all Colts' pass-catchers and should help substantiate the offense overall for the remainder of his tenure as the starter. Among the 225 quarterbacks who have dropped back 250-plus times since the year 2000, Richardson ranks 222nd in completion rate (50%).Source: Mike Chappell
Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen reported that quarterback Joe Flacco Will Start On Sunday Night Football In Week 9
The Indianapolis Colts have named veteran quarterback Joe Flacco the starter for the Week 9 game against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday Night Football. This move comes after the continuous struggles of second-year quarterback read more...