Indianapolis Colts DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

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.

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (abdomen, oblique) is considered day-to-day with oblique and abdominal strains that he suffered in the Week 4 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday and has a shot to play in Week 5 against the division-rival Jacksonville Jaguars, according to sources. Richardson underwent tests on Monday and it appears he dodged a bullet. We'll have a better idea of the 22-year-old's status once the Colts resume practicing on Wednesday. The former fourth overall pick in 2023 has been a disappointment through four weeks, completing just 50.6% of his passes for 654 yards, three touchdowns and a league-high six interceptions. He's added 21 carries for 141 yards and a score on the ground. Richardson will have a chance to rebound against the winless Jags if he's cleared to play. If he cannot play, veteran Joe Flacco, who took over for Richardson on Sunday, would get the starting nod.

Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen said that the team is not considering placing running back Jonathan Taylor (ankle) on short-term Injured Reserve after he suffered a high-ankle sprain in the Week 4 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. High-ankle sprains can keep players out for up to a month, but Taylor apparently suffered a "mild" high-ankle sprain on Sunday. If the 25-year-old went on IR, he'd have to miss at least four games. It's good news overall for the Colts and JT's fantasy managers, but it doesn't mean he won't miss time, starting with the Week 5 contest this weekend against the winless Jacksonville Jaguars. We'll have a better idea about his status later this week, but fantasy managers should be formulating backup plans now in case he cannot play in Week 5. Trey Sermon would become the starter in the backfield if Taylor misses any time, with Tyler Goodson also seeing an elevated role for Indy.