Indianapolis Colts

With Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor taking a personal day at organized team activities on Thursday, it allowed for more running back reps for Trey Sermon, Tyler Goodson and Evan Hull. Both Sermon and Goodson broke off a couple big runs. Behind Taylor this year, the backup RB roles and reps are very much in the air among Sermon, Goodson and Hull now that Zack Moss is in Cincinnati. The 23-year-old Goodson is probably considered the biggest long shot to earn the No. 2 role this year behind Taylor, but the fact that he's being given reps with the first-team offense in OTAs means he has an early shot. The former undrafted free agent out of Iowa saw his first 13 carries in six games (one start) last year and gained 87 yards on the ground. He also added six receptions for an additional 34 yards.

Indianapolis Colts rookie wide receiver Adonai Mitchell continues to flash his potential during organized team activities this offseason and made one of the plays of the day on Thursday during a 7-on-7 period. The highlight-reel play explains why the Colts took a swing on Mitchell in the second round of the draft despite just one year of big-time production in college. He had 55 catches for 845 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2023 at Texas and ranked first among receivers in this year's draft class with 81.8% of his catches resulting in a first down or touchdown. "He's been making a ton of plays out here the past couple of days," head coach Shane Steichen said. The 21-year-old is certainly one to watch, but his production could be sporadic in his rookie campaign if all of Michael Pittman Jr., Josh Downs and Alec Pierce can stay healthy.

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (knee) did not participate in Thursday's OTA practice, but Joel A. Erickson of Indy Star said it was for precautionary reasons. Pittman banged knees with a defender last week and limped off the field, but he is expected to be "fine". The former second-round pick has posted at least 88 receptions, 925 yards, and four touchdowns over the last three seasons, but he'll face more target competition this year. The Colts selected Adonai Mitchell in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, and 2023 third-rounder Josh Downs is expected to have an expanded role. All that said, Pittman should remain the WR1 for Anthony Richardson and post at least low-end WR2 numbers in his fifth NFL campaign.

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor has been getting valuable repetitions during organized team activities this week with second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson. Last year at this time, Taylor and Richardson didn't practice together in the offseason because Taylor was hurt and in a contract dispute. When he returned in Week 5, Taylor played with Richardson for two snaps before Richardson suffered a season-ending shoulder injury. Taylor missed seven games in 2023 due to ankle and thumb injuries but ended the year with season-highs in carries (30) and rushing yards (188), including a 48-yard touchdown run. The 25-year-old should be a lock for 1,000 rushing yards in 2024 if he's healthy, and his ceiling will be pretty high if Richardson remains healthy all years as well, although the dynamic QB could vulture plenty of TDs at the goal line.

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (shoulder), who suffered a severe AC joint sprain in his right shoulder in Week 5 of last year that required season-ending surgery in October, is not limited at all during organized team activities and is throwing 60-yard bombs. The 22-year-old also dismissed any notion that he needs to change his dual-threat playing style to remain available. He described his injury last year as unlucky rather than unwise. Through the first two days of OTAs, head coach Shane Steichen said Richardson has "been pretty smooth." Richardson said some days his surgically repaired shoulder feels "a little achy," but he's not worried about the occasional soreness. He said he's also more comfortable in the offense in his second year in the NFL. Richardson is a bit of an injury risk, but he has clear high-end QB1 appeal, which will make him attractive in fantasy drafts.