Christine Michael Fantasy Stats

Indianapolis Colts running back Christine Michael was released on Monday, according to Field Yates of ESPN. Despite showing well in the preseason, Michael was buried on the Colts running back depth chart behind sophomore Marlon Mack and rookie rushers Jordan Wilkins and Nyheim Hines. This news bodes well for Mack's fantasy owners, who are hoping the presumed lead back in this offense is recovering well from his hamstring and foot problems. Michael finishes his brief 2018 stint with the Colts having rushed twice for nine yards across two games.

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver T.Y. Hilton (quadriceps) and running back Christine Michael (illness) both practiced in full on Friday and have been taken off the final Week 3 injury report against the Eagles. Hilton will once again be quarterback Andrew Luck's favorite target this weekend, especially with tight end Jack Doyle (hip) out. Hilton has seen a healthy 22 targets through two weeks and remains a strong WR2 option despite the less-than-ideal matchup. Michael should see more work behind rookies Jordan Wilkins and Nyheim Hines with Marlon Mack out, but Michael isn't a realistic starting option for fantasy owners.

Indianapolis Colts running back Christine Michael is inactive in Week 2 against the Redskins. With Marlon Mack returning to make his season debut, Michael is the odd man out behind rookies Jordan Wilkins and Nyheim Hines. The Colts should work Mack back into the rotation in this committee backfield, and while he should see most of the work, this backfield is too unpredictable right now to trust for fantasy owners. Avoid it if you can.

There's not a set timetable for Indianapolis Colts running back Marlon Mack to return from his foot injury. While he should be back by Week 3 or 4, his early-season absence will open up snaps for rookie Jordan Wilkins and veteran Christine Michael. Wilkins has flashed some upside, but he's been inconsistent in the preseason. Michael brings a veteran flare to the backfield, while also being a better pass-blocker at this stage. They'll likely split the workload, making neither of them fantasy viable in most leagues. However, in deep leagues they could have some short-term upside.

Indianapolis Colts running back Christine Michael (concussion) suffered a concussion in the team's preseason matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. Michael rushed five times for 41 yards, caught a pass for 20 yards, and lost a fumble before exiting the contest. Although Michael was cleared to return, the Colts chose to sit him for the rest of the game. It is unclear whether Michael was in line for a significant rushing workload in Week 1 of the regular season, but his injury only complicates a muddy backfield situation for fantasy owners. At this point, Michael is undraftable in all but extremely deep leagues.

Indianapolis Colts running back Christine Michael operated as the team's starting running back against the Baltimore Ravens on Monday, with the former Seattle Seahawk rushing six times for 12 yards across the first-team offense's five possessions. While Josh Ferguson stole two carries from him, Michael received work as the unquestioned bell-cow and could be the team's starter to open the regular season if Marlon Mack is still nursing a hamstring injury. Fantasy owners should continue to monitor the Colts running back situation as the regular season approaches to see whether Michael will have a fantasy-relevant role in the offense.

According to George Bremer of CNHI Sports Indiana, Indianapolis Colts running back Christine Michael received plenty of work with the first-team offense during night practice on Tuesday. Michael reportedly busted out a 20-yard touchdown scamper to cap off the first-team offense's initial drive and then nearly caught a red zone touchdown from quarterback Andrew Luck on the second. With presumed starter Marlon Mack dealing with a nagging hamstring injury, Michael is quietly making a case to occupy early-down duties. Fantasy owners should watch Michael closely in the team's second preseason game on Monday to see if he can truly earn that No. 1 spot and be a weekly contributor.

Through 11 of their 18 training camp practices, the Indianapolis Colts have reportedly been "backing up their chatter" of using a committee backfield in 2018. While sophomore rusher Marlon Mack appears to be headlining the group, rookies Nyheim Hines and Jordan Wilkins have been showing enough promise to potentially demolish any hopes of a workhorse back. Veterans Robert Turbin and Christine Michael could also figure into the equation at some point, meaning a fantasy nightmare for owners. At this point, the best course of action for owners who can afford it is to watch how the team utilizes its stable of backs in the preseason.