Indianapolis Colts DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Chicago Bears running back Khalil Herbert rushed four times for 35 yards in the team's 21-17 shortened win over the Texans. Herbert averaged 8.8 yards per carry and broke a run as long as 19 yards in his preseason debut. Although he trailed Roschon Johnson in overall carries in this game, Herbert was the most effective rusher on a team that used three different running backs. Behind new addition D'Andre Swift, Herbert and Johnson will likely split the backup duties based on situation. Herbert's next chance to bolster his case comes on August 10th at Buffalo.

The Indianapolis Colts continue to rotate rookie wide receiver Adonai Mitchell and Alec Pierce with the starters and the second unit in training camp practices. Michael Pittman Jr. is the team's unquestioned WR1, with Josh Downs slated to operate as the No. 2, so as of right now, it looks like Mitchell and Pierce are competing for WR3 duties to open the 2024 regular season. Mitchell, 21, was the 52nd overall pick in April's NFL draft out of Texas and is a physical specimen with speed to spare. From a pure physical standpoint, Mitchell has much more upside than Pierce. It would be a surprise if Mitchell didn't earn the No. 3 job by season's end if Pierce starts the season in that role. Neither pass-catcher will probably be drafted in standard 12-team leagues, but in deeper formats, Mitchell is the better upside bench stash.

New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (knee) has had a slow start to training camp practice on Sunday and completed only two of his six pass attempts. Jones was underthrowing the deep ball, which has been a thing for him early this summer. ESPN's Jordan Raanan thinks it's something to monitor as camp progresses as Jones comes off his ACL injury from last season. It's still very early in camp, but so far, the 27-year-old former sixth overall pick in 2019 out of Duke looks rusty. He's heading into a make-or-break year in 2024 after playing in just six games in 2023 before tearing his ACL. Jones had a career year in 2022 but still managed to throw only 15 touchdown passes in 16 starts. Coming off a torn ACL, Jones is going to need to prove himself in an offense that still has a lot of question marks. In fantasy, treat him as a low-end QB2 with minimal upside.

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (knee) took part in Thursday's training camp practice. His status is worth noting after he suffered an injury scare with his knee during OTAs in the spring. Pittman has led the Colts in receptions, yards, and touchdowns in each of the past three seasons, setting career-high figures in catches (109) and receiving yards (1,152) last season. The 26-year-old star wideout will need to build chemistry with quarterback Anthony Richardson and put up more touchdowns if he wants to jump to the next level in 2024, but Pittman is the clear-cut top target in Indianapolis' offense and is shaping up as a steady WR2 pick in the third-round of 12-team fantasy drafts this summer.

Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen said at training camp on Thursday that the team isn't going to limit second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson (shoulder) as a runner. "People ask this, too 'Hey, are you gonna limit the run game?' And I kind of think like, 'Shoot, are you gonna limit Steph Curry from shooting 3-pointers. Well, that's one of Anthony (Richardson's) strengths. We're not gonna get away from that," Steichen said. General manager Chris Ballard said earlier this week that the 22-year-old former first-rounder will be full-go in camp after needing season-ending right-shoulder surgery after just four games played in his rookie season in 2023. Because of his playing style and ability to extend plays with his legs, Richardson is more injury-prone than some other QBs, but he also has elite upside. Despite having never played a full season, Richardson is going to a popular midrange QB1 target in fantasy drafts this fall.