Indianapolis Colts DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen said that running back Jonathan Taylor (ankle) will not play in Week 7 against the Miami Dolphins. Taylor will now miss his third straight game due to a right-ankle sprain, but hopefully he'll be able to make it back for a Week 8 date against the division-rival Houston Texans on Oct. 27. With Trey Sermon (knee) also dealing with an injury, it's possible we'll see more of Tyler Goodson and Evan Hull, depending on whether Sermon is active for Sunday's game. Sermon hasn't been all that effective on the ground the last two weeks with Taylor out, so even if he's active, he could yield more backfield touches to Goodson and Hull. Taylor obviously needs to remain on fantasy benches, while Sermon will be nothing more than a low-upside RB3/flex against Miami if he's active.

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (oblique) practiced in full for the second straight day this week on Thursday. Richardson has missed the last two weeks due to an oblique injury he suffered in the Week 4 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, but he's well on his way to taking back the starting gig under center from veteran Joe Flacco, who tossed five touchdowns and one interception in his two starts. Although Richardson looked shaky as a passer in his first four games before the injury, completing only 50.6% of his passes while tossing six interceptions and three touchdowns. The 22-year-old's rushing upside is undeniable, but injuries and his lack of accuracy are major concerns after he played in only four games in his rookie season in 2024. Richardson should be considered a low-end QB1/high-end QB2 in fantasy if he returns in Week 7.

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (shoulder) was added to the Week 7 injury report on Thursday and was listed as a non-participant. Pierce could now be very much in danger of missing the upcoming game on Sunday versus the Miami Dolphins. The 24-year-old's practice status on Friday and designation on the final injury report will give us a better idea on his status. Pierce has had two 100-plus-yard games in 2024 and has three touchdowns as well, but he's also had a one-catch game and didn't haul in any of his four targets in the Week 6 win over the division-rival Tennessee Titans. With quarterback Anthony Richardson (oblique) expected to return this weekend, Pierce may be even more of a boom/bust flex option for fantasy managers if he plays. If Pierce is inactive, rookie Adonai Mitchell will have added opportunity in the passing attack.

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (back) upgraded to a full practice session on Thursday after he was listed as a DNP on Wednesday. Pittman missed two practices last week before practicing in full on Friday and playing in the Week 6 win over the division-rival Tennessee Titans. The 27-year-old pass-catcher said after the win over the Titans that his back injury could still land him on Injured Reserve, but the fact that he's back to a full practice on Thursday likely means he'll be available again this Sunday against the Miami Dolphins. However, fantasy managers may want to temper expectations for Pittman after he played a season-low in offensive snaps last week. If not for a jump-ball touchdown, he would have disappointed with only three catches for 35 yards. Outside of a 100-yard game in Week 4, Pittman hasn't gone over 40 receiving yards in 2024.

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (ankle) was not seen on the field at Thursday's practice and has not practiced or played since suffering a right high-ankle sprain in Week 4. Taylor said that he was unsure if he would practice at all again this week, making it more likely that he'll miss a third straight contest in Week 7 against the Miami Dolphins. He still has one more day on Friday to return to practice, but as of right now, fantasy managers shouldn't be confident in Taylor suiting up on Sunday. The good news for the Colts is that Trey Sermon (knee), who has been the lead back the last two games with Taylor out, returned to practice after being a DNP on Wednesday. If Taylor misses another contest, the Colts give Tyler Goodson a bigger share of the backfield touches if Sermon ends up playing.