RADIO
Keenan Allen a Steady Contributor to Trust in Week 8
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Keenan Allen isn't the flashiest name in fantasy football, but his steady contributions this season have put him in WR3/flex territory for Week 8 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Although his outlook is scaled back a little with tight end Tyler Warren returning from injury, there's still a clear path for Allen to operate as the No. 1 wide receiver in Indianapolis. The 34-year-old has more catches, touchdowns, and PPR points than teammate Josh Downs this season, despite playing one fewer game. Allen has been a safer and more reliable target for quarterback Daniel Jones, and that could lead to a solid fantasy outing on Sunday against the Jaguars. He should thrive in a projected negative game script environment, and he should also benefit from playing against the Jaguars, who have surrendered the fourth-most receiving yards to wide receivers in 2026. Managers should confidently deploy Allen as a WR3/flex this week, as trade rumors continue to swirl around both him and Downs.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Colts Have Not Discussed Benching Daniel Jones
After struggling to start his 2026 season, quarterback Daniel Jones has not been discussed as a potential bench candidate by the Indianapolis Colts, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Pelissero notes that Jones is still recovering from a torn Achilles suffered in Week 14 of last season, and that a depleted weapons group is another reason for his struggles. In seven games, Jones has completed 143 of 240 passes (59.6%) for 1,398 yards, four touchdowns, and seven interceptions, along with 68 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries. After his stellar performance prior to the Achilles injury, Jones signed a two-year, $88 million contract with the Colts this offseason, including $60 million guaranteed. With the Colts trading offensive lineman Quenton Nelson and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, and in active conversations to trade Jonathan Taylor and Josh Downs, they appear to be in rebuild mode, and Jones' struggles appear likely to continue.
Source: Tom Pelissero - NFL Network
Source: Tom Pelissero - NFL Network
Colts Now Open to Trading Jonathan Taylor
After stating they had no intention of trading Jonathan Taylor, the Indianapolis Colts are now open to trading the star running back, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Schefter reports that multiple teams have reached out to Indianapolis, and those talks are active and ongoing. After trading away star guard Quentin Nelson and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner earlier in the week, Taylor appears to be the next star to depart as the team enters a rebuild. In seven games, Taylor has totaled 140 carries for 587 yards and eight touchdowns, along with 17 receptions for 178 yards. Teams likely to be involved in trade talks include the Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks, Cincinnati Bengals, and New York Giants, all of whom are currently in contention. If Taylor is traded, rookie Seth McGowan is a priority pickup, as he would be in line to take over the backfield unless another back is traded to Indianapolis.
Source: Adam Schefter - ESPN
Source: Adam Schefter - ESPN
Jonathan Taylor An RB1 Lineup Lock Despite Trade Rumors
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor is still in Indianapolis, as the start of this sentence suggests, and he has denied rumors that he wants out of Indy. In fact, he's been loyal to the organization throughout his tenure and has shown it with his fantastic play as the team's starting running back. He has RB1 upside in every game he plays, no matter how strong the opposing defense. The Jacksonville Jaguars, who the Colts will face in Week 8, have one of the best run defenses in the NFL. They allow just 3.2 yards per carry to opposing running backs, which is comfortably the lowest mark in the NFL. That doesn't matter because Taylor is an elite RB. You start him no matter what and hope for the best. Usually he does very well. You can't blame him for a bad game given the state of the Colts' offense, but he overcomes it week to week. He's a clear RB1 for fantasy football in Week 8.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Josh Downs A Low-Floor, Low-Ceiling Fantasy Option In Week 8
When the Indianapolis Colts take on the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 8, they'll have their top slot wide receiver, Josh Downs, healthy and active. He's not been very productive this season, though. Colts starting quarterback Daniel Jones, to the detriment of the team, has opted not to get the ball to Downs, and instead focus on his outside receivers and tight ends. Downs is separating very well this season -- he has no issues with getting open, but just isn't getting the ball as much as he should be. With just 12 receptions over the past four games combined, he's not been start-worthy in any fantasy football leagues this year. He requested a trade away from the Colts, likely due to his lack of involvement, but remains with the team for now and will be active for Week 8. He should be on benches in all leagues for now, and his current value in redraft leagues is very low.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Tyler Warren A Must-Start TE In Return From Injury in Week 8
Indianapolis Colts tight end Tyler Warren (groin) should be started in all fantasy football leagues for Week 8, when he takes on the Jacksonville Jaguars. Warren is good to go for Sunday's game against the Jaguars after missing the last two weeks with a groin injury. They're not a soft defense against tight ends by any means, but with Colts WR1 Alec Pierce (heel) sidelined with a heel injury, Warren has been the clear No. 1 target in the passing game when healthy. Colts quarterback Daniel Jones has played poor football this season, but Warren can thrive in PPR fantasy leagues even when he's not gaining a lot of yardage, as his receptions alone have made him fantasy relevant. Jones appears to have regressed massively from last season, but still targets Warren heavily -- it's been the team's other pass-catchers that have been mostly unproductive this season. The Colts offense may look ugly, but Warren can still produce for fantasy managers.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Daniel Jones A Bench Candidate For Week 8
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones is probably best left on the benches outside of deep superflex leagues for Week 8. He's not even a top-24 QB in fantasy football this season despite not having had his bye week yet. With five total touchdowns and 10 turnovers on the season, he's arguably been a detriment to his teams offense as he continues to recover from the torn Achilles tendon he suffered late last season. The Colts will be without their top wideout, Alec Pierce (heel), as he recovers from a heel injury. He will at least get back his top remaining target, tight end Tyler Warren, who's been cleared to play in Week 8. Jones is a low-end QB2 when he's not having one of his awful turnover-ridden games and an unstartable player when he is. It's best to look elsewhere to fill your QB and superflex spots in your lineups this week.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Josh Downs to Play in Week 8 After Making Trade Request
Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen said that wide receiver Josh Downs will play on Sunday in Week 8 against the division-rival Jacksonville Jaguars despite his trade request, according to James Boyd of The Athletic. Running back Jonathan Taylor, who is another trade candidate for the Colts, will also be active this weekend, and both players are expected to see normal workloads. The 25-year-old Downs wants to be the next one to go after the Colts sent Pro Bowl guard Quenton Nelson to the Seattle Seahawks and Pro Bowl defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to the San Francisco 49ers earlier this week. Perhaps a change of scenery would benefit Downs, who has struggled in 2026 despite the injury to Alec Pierce (heel) that landed him on Injured Reserve. Downs has 26 receptions through seven games for 307 yards and no touchdowns. He has quickly become a hard-to-trust WR3/flex for fantasy managers.
Source: The Athletic - James Boyd
Source: The Athletic - James Boyd
Tyler Warren Good to Go For Week 8
Indianapolis Colts tight end Tyler Warren (groin) is good to go for the Week 8 game on Sunday against the division-rival Jacksonville Jaguars, according to Mike Chappell of FOX 59. Warren will make his return this weekend from a groin injury that sidelined him for the team's last two games. It is great news for a struggling Colts offense that is still without receiver Alec Pierce (heel) for the foreseeable future, but they will still have their work cut out for them against the Jags. The 24-year-old Warren has been a TE1 in fantasy football after he made the Pro Bowl as a rookie with a 76-817-4 line on 112 targets in 17 games in 2025. Through five games in 2026, he has caught 30 of his 36 targets for 213 yards and two touchdowns. Now that Warren is back for the Colts in Week 8, fantasy managers should be returning him to their starting lineups in all formats.
Source: FOX 59 - Mike Chappell
Source: FOX 59 - Mike Chappell
Jonathan Taylor Meets With Ownership Amid Trade Speculation
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor has met with owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon to discuss his role with the franchise amid rampant trade speculation as the Nov. 10 deadline nears, according to Mike Chappell of FOX 59. Taylor was clear with the media that he has demanded a trade out of town, although he acknowledges that his future is out of his hands at this point. The 2-5 Colts traded Pro Bowl offensive guard Quenton Nelson to the Seattle Seahawks and Pro Bowl defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to the San Francisco 49ers on Tuesday, and they might not be done selling. Taylor would be the biggest piece to be moved, but reports suggest that the Colts would prefer to keep the star RB around as they build for the future. Despite the Colts' offense struggling in the first half of the season, JT has been a constant source of production on the ground, rushing for 587 yards on 140 carries (4.2 yards per attempt) with a league-high eight rushing touchdowns. He has also added 17 catches for 178 yards on 26 targets through the air. A trade to a contender would likely raise his already high fantasy ceiling, but it remains to be seen if the Colts will pull the trigger on a blockbuster deal.
Source: FOX 59 - Mike Chappell
Source: FOX 59 - Mike Chappell
Tyler Warren Back at Practice, Limited on Wednesday
Indianapolis Colts tight end Tyler Warren (groin) returned to practice and was listed as a limited participant on Wednesday during the team's walkthrough. It is a good start to Warren's Week 8 preparation after he missed the last two games due to a groin injury, but he will likely need to upgrade to a full participant in the next two days to avoid being ruled out or given a questionable tag for this weekend's contest on the road against the division-rival Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. The 24-year-old is on the TE1 radar when active, and his target share could be boosted this year if the Colts trade one or both of receivers Josh Downs and Keenan Allen by the Nov. 10 deadline. Through his first five games in his sophomore season, Warren has caught 30 of his 36 targets for 213 yards and two touchdowns as one of quarterback Daniel Jones' most reliable targets with wideout Alec Pierce (heel) on Injured Reserve. Warren is currently the TE6 by averaging 11.0 half-PPR points through his five games played.
Source: Indianapolis Colts
Source: Indianapolis Colts
Daniel Jones' Play and Situation Make Him a Difficult Player to Roster
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones is coming off a 2025 season where he was the QB12 in fantasy points per game at 18.3 points. This season, he slots in at QB33 (10.7 fantasy points per game) among qualified QBs. Suffice it to say that Jones has had a disastrous start to the 2026 season. He has thrown for only four touchdowns and, on top of that, has thrown seven interceptions through seven games this season. While it likely cannot get much worse fantasy-wise, the Colts have shown that they are in sell-mode. They have already traded away All-Pro offensive guard Quenton Nelson, and rumors are swirling about potential trades of elite running back Jonathan Taylor and wide receiver Josh Downs. A declining offensive environment can only spell more trouble for Jones, who should only be rostered in the deepest of leagues and ones with a second QB slot.
Source: Fantasy Points
Source: Fantasy Points
Josh Downs Requests Trade From Colts
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs is requesting a trade, sources tell Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. The Colts traded Pro Bowl offensive guard Quenton Nelson to the Seattle Seahawks and Pro Bowl defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to the San Francisco 49ers on Tuesday, and Downs wants to be next to go before the Nov. 10 deadline. Despite Alec Pierce (heel) being on Injured Reserve since Week 3, the 25-year-old Downs has not taken advantage of a bigger role in Indy's passing game this year, catching just 26 of his 46 targets for 307 yards (11.8 yards per catch) and no touchdowns in seven games played. He had just two grabs on four targets for 18 yards in Sunday's Week 7 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. A receiver-needy NFL team will likely take a shot on the former third-rounder from North Carolina, but a trade out of Indianapolis will not guarantee that Downs will bounce back for fantasy managers who continue to hold him. In addition to Downs, veteran wideout Keenan Allen and star running back Jonathan Taylor could be dealt as the Colts sell off assets for draft capital following their 2-5 start.
Source: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
Source: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
Jonathan Taylor Has Not Asked Out of Indianapolis
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor remains the centerpiece of the Colts' rushing attack, recording 587 yards and eight touchdowns on 140 carries through seven games, and he has not requested a trade, head coach Shane Steichen said Wednesday, according to Mike Chappell. The clarification comes after Indianapolis traded All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner on Tuesday, following the Week 7 firing of general manager Chris Ballard. Several teams have reportedly expressed interest in acquiring Taylor, although ESPN's Adam Schefter indicated Tuesday that Colts owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon prefers to keep him. Nelson's departure still represents a significant change to the offensive line supporting his workload. The 27-year-old signed a two-year, $44 million extension in August that keeps him under contract through 2028, giving Indianapolis little contractual urgency to move him before the November 10 trade deadline.
Source: Mike Chappell
Source: Mike Chappell
Alec Pierce a Glaring Stash Ahead of Return, Teammate's Potential Trade
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (heel) should be a priority stash in all fantasy football leagues ahead of the midway mark in the season. Pierce tried to play through injury for the first two weeks of the season before being placed on injured reserve, and he is now eligible to be activated whenever the Colts feel he is ready. Given that this move could happen at any time, Pierce is a strong stash option in redraft leagues. After all, there will be a mad scramble to add him when he's activated, so savvy managers should beat the rush and add him off waivers now. Plus, there's the potential for Pierce to carve out an even bigger role if teammate Josh Downs gets traded, as recent rumors have suggested. A Downs trade would strengthen Pierce's position atop the wide receiver depth chart, putting him in the WR2 range on a more consistent basis. The 26-year-old should be stashed on the bench in most 10+ team leagues ahead of his eventual return and potential increase in volume with Downs in trade rumors.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
