Indianapolis Colts DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Indianapolis Colts wide receivers 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.

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 have missed several consecutive Wednesday practices. Neither player was restricted in Week 8 so their lack of activity appears to be related to rest rather than a setback in their injuries. The Colts will need a full complement of wide receivers as they turn to Joe Flacco as their starting quarterback after benching Anthony Richardson this week. Both players have put up solid numbers with Joe Flacco under center for parts of three games in 2024. Downs has especially been a target hog since he first took the field in Week 3. He has earned nine or more targets in four of six games. In three games with Flacco playing a significant amount of snaps, Pittman saw a total of 23 targets. Both players are in a great position to see serious volume as the Colts will likely start to complete a significant amount of passes with Flacco. Fantasy managers should monitor the status of both leading up to the weekend, but for now, there is no cause for concern.

The New York Jets are signing kickers Riley Patterson and Spencer Shrader to the practice squad on Wednesday, according to NFL insider Tom Pelissero. Starting kicker Greg Zuerlein (knee) is reportedly dealing with a knee injury, and his performance this season has been disastrous. The 36-year-old has made just nine of his 15 field goal tries and has missed an extra point. Patterson, who has spent time with the Detroit Lions, Cleveland Browns, and Jacksonville Jaguars, has made 59 of his 67 field goal attempts in 39 games. Shrader is an undrafted rookie free agent out of Notre Dame and appeared in one game for the Indianapolis Colts this season, connecting on all three of his extra-point tries. The expectation is Zuerlein will not play on Thursday Night Football against the Houston Texans, and one of the newly-acquired kickers will handle kicking duties for the Jets. Neither option is high on the fantasy football radar.

The Indianapolis Colts will roll with veteran Joe Flacco as the starting quarterback on Sunday Night Football against the Minnesota Vikings following the early-career struggles of Anthony Richardson. Richardson has started in just 10 games since being selected in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, completing 50.2% of his passes for 1,535 yards, seven touchdowns, and eight interceptions. He's racked up 378 yards and five touchdowns on the ground. The Colts are moving him to the bench, but that does not mean his time in Indianapolis is nearing an end. ESPN Colts writer Stephen Holder reporters a team source told him, "We are not quitting on Anthony. That will be the story, but that is not the case." Either way, this is somewhat of a surprising development since most viewed Richardson as a long-term project due to his lack of experience in college and the NFL. Fantasy managers might consider dropping Richardson in redraft leagues, but he remains a hold in dynasty formats.

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson has been benched, with Joe Flacco taking over as the starter. The veteran quarterback will start Sunday night against the Minnesota Vikings, his fourth this season. Richardson has struggled this season, completing only 44.4% of his pass attempts in six games. Many wonder if the team is giving up on the former No. 4 overall pick too quickly. However, fantasy players welcome the change at quarterback. Flacco has been significantly better for the Colts' pass catchers, especially Michael Pittman Jr. and Josh Downs. Flacco is a must-add off the waiver wire in single-quarterback and superflex leagues. Meanwhile, Pittman and Downs have WR2 upside with the veteran under center. a