Indianapolis Colts

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (abdomen, oblique) is feeling much better on Wednesday but will be held out of the first practice of the week. Head coach Shane Steichen said that Richardson could still play in Week 5 against the division-rival Jacksonville Jaguars even if he doesn't practice at all this week. Richardson left the Week 4 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers with what was initially called a hip pointer and was replaced by veteran Joe Flacco, who finished off the victory. The 22-year-old's injury doesn't appear to be too serious, so fantasy managers should expect him to be able to play this coming Sunday if he's able to return to practice on either Thursday or Friday. In four weeks in 2024, Richardson has been a disappointment for fantasy managers with a league-high six interceptions and a 50.6 completion percentage. The good news is he has a nice bounce-back matchup against the Jags' porous defense this week if he's able to play.

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (ankle) will not practice on Wednesday. Taylor suffered a high-ankle sprain in the Week 4 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, although his high-ankle sprain is considered relatively mild. Still, Taylor's status for the Week 5 contest this Sunday versus the division-rival Jacksonville Jaguars is firmly up in the air, which has made backup Trey Sermon a popular speculative waiver-wire pickup this week. The 25-year-old Taylor has two more days to get back on the practice field, but as of right now, fantasy managers need to have a backup plan in place in case he doesn't get the green light to suit up. In addition to Sermon, Tyler Goodson would also have an elevated role in Indy's backfield if Taylor cannot play in Week 5. The good news is that Taylor's injury doesn't appear serious enough to land him on Injured Reserve, which would keep him out for at least four games.

Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter expressed his confidence in rookie wide receiver Adonai Mitchell, saying, "It just hasn't quite happened yet." Mitchell has been good in one-on-one situations, according to Cooter, and he still expects big plays to come for the rookie receiver. Mitchell has just two receptions for 32 yards on the season on 13 targets. With Michael Pittman Jr., Alec Pierce, and Josh Downs all in the mix now, Mitchell will be reliant on his big-play ability and will have to convert on a better percentage of his targets in order to be fantasy relevant. It might take time for the rookie to find himself in this offense, so he could be an option by the end of the season. But right now, he is not worth rostering until he shows more.

Indianapolis Colts running back Trey Sermon is likely to take over as the lead back heading into the Week 5 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Fellow back Jonathan Taylor (ankle) exited early on Sunday and is now a candidate for the injured reserve. That being said, Sermon figures to see an expanded role in the offense with Taylor undoubtedly going to miss time. Last week, Sermon rushed five times for eight yards in the win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Sermon has bounced around the league quite a bit since being taken in the third round by the San Francisco 49ers in 2021. He has never been able to establish himself in the league, but this appears to be his best chance. The 25-year-old is going to be one of the most popular waiver wire additions this week. Fantasy managers who are desperate for help at running back should take a look at Sermon as he could be a viable option due to the volume of carries he could see.

The Denver Broncos signed free-agent running back Salvon Ahmed to their practice squad on Tuesday. In a corresponding move, the Broncos released wide receiver Kaden Davis from the practice squad. Ahmed will give Denver some more depth at the RB position after Tyler Badie (back) was placed on a backboard and carted off in the Week 4 win over the New York Jets on Sunday. Badie is a candidate to go on Injured Reserve, which would put him out for at least four games, which would make sense why the team would be looking for more RB depth behind Javonte Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin on the 53-man roster. The 25-year-old Ahmed was released by the Miami Dolphins in August and will bide his time on the practice squad for now. Even if Ahmed joins the active roster at some point, he belongs on the waiver wire unless one of Williams or McLaughlin are injured.