Indianapolis Colts News

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Adonai Mitchell has just two receptions over the last four contests, but has an opportunity to get more involved on Sunday against the Titans. With Alec Pierce set to miss the game having not cleared concussion protocol, Mitchell could work in as the primary deep threat in this matchup. That may not mean much for fantasy, however, as the 22-year-old will be on the receiving end of passes coming from quarterback Anthony Richardson who has a 47.0% completion rate, while Pierce recorded three catches or less in 11 of the 13 full games he played prior to Week 15, so Mitchell's workload should look similar. The Titans have allowed the fifth-fewest points to opposing WRs on the season, which won't make it any easier for the wideouts. View Mitchell as nothing more than a WR5/6 dart throw for fantasy on Sunday.

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor has 21 or more carries in four of the last five contests with virtually no competition for touches from the other running backs on the team. That is, except for Anthony Richardson who has scored four times on the ground over the last four weeks while Taylor hasn't scored via the rush since Week 8. The 25-year-old nearly had one last week but dropped the ball in celebration before crossing the goal line, resulting in a lost fumble instead. Expect the former second-round draft pick to get a healthy dose of touches again in Week 16 against Tennessee, especially given how good the Titans' pass defense has been, allowing the fifth-fewest fantasy points per game to opposing receivers compared to a rush defense yielding the 13th-most points to opposing backs. The fifth-year pro falls to a high-end RB2 in this week's matchup, who should get plenty of work and comes with RB1 upside if he's able to find the end zone.

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs returned from a one-game absence after the Colts' bye week in Week 15, only to produce three catches for 32 yards. While the eight looks the 23-year-old drew were encouraging, Anthony Richardson's sub-50% completion rate continues to limit Indy's receivers. On top of that, the second-year quarterback has four rushing touchdowns on the ground over the last four weeks compared to just three through the air (along with four INTs), further capping their upside. In addition, the Colts take on the Titans in Week 16, a defense that has allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points to opposing receivers on the season. Michael Pittman Jr. has been more productive over the last four weeks, but Alec Pierce will be out on Sunday as he recovers from a concussion, so Downs could benefit from a few extra looks. The former third-round pick is shaping up to be a WR4 this week in a contest that features one of the lower expected totals on the board.

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. was a full participant in practice on Friday. The 27-year-old did not practice on Wednesday, but was back to a full participant the following two sessions to close out the week. The 6-foot-4 wideout has dealt with back issues seemingly all season long, but it has cost him just one week of playing time. The former second-round draft pick has been Anthony Richardson's preferred target in the passing game over the last four weeks since being reinstated as the starting QB, averaging over five catches per contest, albeit for just 60 yards per game. The fifth-year pro hasn't scored a touchdown since Week 6, which happened to be against his Week 16 opponent, the Tennessee Titans. Although he found paydirt in that first meeting, he did so on just three catches for 35 yards. With the Titans allowing the fifth-fewest fantasy points to opposing receivers and with Richardson completing less than 50% of his passes on the season, expectations for Sunday's divisional showdown should be tempered. While the Colts are 3.5-point favorites in this one, there is a low expected total of 42.5 and Pittman Jr. projects as a WR4 this week, so hopefully fantasy managers have other options.

Indianapolis Colts tight end Mo Alie-Cox (hip) and wide receiver Ashton Dulin (ankle) are both considered questionable to play on Sunday in Week 16 against the division-rival Tennessee Titans. Alie-Cox didn't practice on Wednesday or Thursday but was a full-go in practice on Friday. The 31-year-old is mostly a blocker for the Colts and has only 11 receptions for 132 yards and one touchdown on 18 targets in all 14 games this year, so even if he's active on Sunday, he should remain off the fantasy radar. If Alie-Cox is inactive, Kylen Granson, Drew Ogletree and Will Mallory will vie for more snaps on offense. The Colts already ruled out Alec Pierce (concussion), so Dulin would be competing for targets with rookie Adonai Mitchell as the WR3 in Week 16 if he's active. Dulin has missed the last two games and hasn't caught a pass since Week 2.

Indianapolis Colts kicker Matt Gay (neck) is listed as questionable to kick for the Colts in a Week 16 divisional matchup against the Tennessee Titans. Gay did not practice on Wednesday and Thursday but returned to a full practice on Friday, giving him a shot to be available this weekend in a must-win game for Indy. The fact that he was a full-go on Friday probably puts him on the right side of questionable for this one, but fantasy managers probably should be looking in another direction in semifinal matchups in most leagues. The 30-year-old veteran booter has gone 24-for-27 on his field-goal attempts in 2024 while also knocking down all 23 of his extra-point tries. The Colts don't have another kicker on roster, and the fact that haven't added one as insurance this week likely means they are expecting Gay to be ready to roll on Sunday.

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson found the end zone via the rush for the fourth time in the last four weeks in Week 15, but had another horrendous day throwing the football, completing 50% or less of his passes for the eighth time in the nine full games he's played in 2024 while throwing two interceptions. Things won't get any easier in Week 16 as the Colts have a divisional matchup with the Titans who have allowed the 11th-fewest fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. Wide receiver Alec Pierce has been ruled out after sustaining a concussion last week, which actually may help improve the 22-year-old's completion rate since he likes to throw the ball deep and Pierce leads the entire NFL in average depth of target. Therefore, targets could be focused more on intermediate, higher-percentage throws. Regardless of whether or not that holds true, with fantasy titles hanging in the balance, managers who are streaming QBs will want to look elsewhere if possible as the former first-round draft pick projects only as a mid-range QB2 in Week 16.

According to Joel A. Erickson of the IndyStar, the Colts have ruled out wide receiver Alec Pierce (concussion) for Week 16's divisional tilt against the Tennessee Titans. Pierce sustained this concussion during last weekend's loss to the Denver Broncos and was unable to practice all week. The 24-year-old will need to clear the league's protocol in order to return in Week 17 to face the New York Giants. During Weeks 10 through 13, Pierce found the end zone twice and averaged a solid 10.8 PPR points per game. While sidelined, fantasy managers should expect Josh Downs and Michael Pittman Jr. to lead the passing attack. However, they do have a tough matchup ahead of them on Sunday as the Titans have allowed the fifth-fewest PPR points to opposing wideouts this season.

Indianapolis Colts kicker Matt Gay (neck) remained sidelined during practice on Thursday. Gay will need to participate in some capacity during Friday's session to have a chance to suit up this weekend. The veteran kicker sustained this injury during their loss to the Denver Broncos last weekend. Fantasy managers should closely monitor his status on Friday. Since Week 10, the 30-year-old has held a perfect 100% mark on his field goals and extra point attempts. Overall, he holds an 88.9% FG success rate and has yet to miss an extra point. If Gay can make a quick turnaround, he should be viewed as a low-end K1, given the safe floor he provides facing the Tennessee Titans.

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (back) was upgraded to a full participant during Thursday's practice. This is a great sign for the wideout as he was a non-participant on Wednesday. Pittman has battled a lingering back injury throughout the season and has only missed one game due to it back in Week 10. Since Week 11, Pittman has averaged 5.5 receptions per game while tallying 60.5 yards per contest. This is a nice improvement compared to the 40.5 yards he averaged per game during the first nine contests of the season. Fantasy managers should monitor his stats on Friday in case he faces a setback, but he is currently on track to be a full-go on Sunday. This weekend, he will face the Tennessee Titans, who have allowed the fifth-fewest PPR points to opposing wide receivers this season.

James Boyd of The Athletic reports that Indianapolis Colts tight end Mo Alie-Cox (hip) is not practicing on Thursday. It's the second straight day he'll be tagged with a DNP. The eighth-year veteran suffered his injury late last week, missing Friday's practice, but could still participate in Sunday's 31-13 loss to the Denver Broncos. However, he played on a season-low percentage of snaps (30%). Considering Alie-Cox played after a late-week DNP last week, it's feasible he could do so again in Week 16. Still, it'd be good if he could log at least a limited session ahead of this Sunday. If he is inactive, teammate Will Mallory projects to pick up some more snaps working in behind Kylen Granson and Drew Ogletree.

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (concussion) was seen doing some agility work off to the side during the team's practice on Thursday. Pierce is in the league's concussion protocol after suffering a head injury in the Week 15 loss to the Denver Broncos on Sunday and is missing his second straight practice on Thursday. He still has one day left to try and get on the practice field, but as things look right now, Pierce is trending toward being inactive in Week 16 against the division-rival Tennessee Titans on Sunday. If that's the case, rookie Adonai Mitchell would see a bigger role in three-wide sets alongside Michael Pittman Jr. and Josh Downs. However, we still wouldn't consider Mitchell an intriguing flex play in fantasy if Pierce is out while going up against a Titans defense that has allowed the third-fewest half-PPR points per game to opposing receivers in 2024.

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (back) is practicing on Thursday after resting his back on Wednesday. Pittman has been managing a back injury of late, but he managed to play 96 percent of the offensive snaps in the Week 15 loss to the Denver Broncos and caught six of his nine targets for 58 yards while losing a crucial fumble in the second half. The 27-year-old has at least five receptions and seven targets in each of the last four games, but he hasn't found the end zone since Oct. 13 and only has one 100-yard game in 2024. Pittman's fantasy stock has taken a hit this year in Indy's low-volume passing attack and with young quarterback Anthony Richardson struggling with accuracy and consistency. The good news is that one of Pittman's two TDs on the year came against the division-rival Titans in their first meeting, although they also allow the third-fewest PPR points to receivers.

Indianapolis Colts kicker Matt Gay (neck) didn't take part in the team's first practice of the week on Wednesday. Gay is dealing with a neck injury coming out of the Week 15 loss to the Denver Broncos on Sunday in which he made both of his field-goal attempts and his lone extra-point opportunity. He still has two more days to get back on the practice field before the team takes on the division-rival Tennessee Titans in Week 16. We'll have a better idea on Gay's availability for the weekend based on whether the Colts make any moves to give them kicking insurance in case Gay can't kick on Sunday. The 30-year-old booter has made 88.9 percent of his field goals (24-for-27) this year while going a perfect 23-for-23 on extra points in 13 games in his second season with the team. Especially with his availability in question, fantasy managers should be looking at other kicking options in Week 16.

Indianapolis Colts wide receivers Michael Pittman Jr. (back) and Ashton Dulin (ankle) both missed the first practice of Week 16 preparation on Wednesday. In addition, Alec Pierce (concussion) also did not practice, so Indy's receiving corps is a bit beat up heading into Sunday's game against the division-rival Tennessee Titans. Pittman has been battling through a back issue of late but hasn't missed a game because of it, and he played 96 percent of the offensive snaps in the Week 15 loss to the Denver Broncos on Sunday. Our guess is the Colts are just resting the veteran wideout before he returns to practice later this week and plays on Sunday. The 27-year-old former second-rounder has become more of a hard-to-trust WR4/flex in the Colts' low-volume passing attack with young quarterback Anthony Richardson struggling with his accuracy. Pittman does have at least five catches and seven targets in the last four games, though.

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (concussion) will not take part in the first practice of the week on Wednesday. Pierce suffered a concussion early in the Week 15 loss to the Denver Broncos on Sunday and is in the league's concussion protocol. His status is firmly up in the air for a divisional tilt in Week 16 against the Tennessee Titans. Pierce will have several more days to work through the protocol and will need clearance from an independent neurologist later this week in order to be active on Sunday. If the 24-year-old doesn't get the green light to play this weekend, rookie Adonai Mitchell would step into a starting role in three-wide sets next to Michael Pittman Jr. and Josh Downs. However, in Indy's low-volume passing attack, Mitchell wouldn't come recommended as a flex option for fantasy managers in their league's semifinal matchup.

Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen said that wide receiver Alec Pierce (concussion) is in the league's concussion protocol after leaving Sunday's Week 15 loss to the Denver Broncos with a head injury. Pierce hit the ground hard in the first half while going after a deep ball and was later ruled out for the rest of the game with a concussion. The 24-year-old was targeted four times before his injury but failed to come down with any of them, giving any fantasy managers that started him a donut. Ashton Dulin (ankle) was inactive for the game, so rookie Adonai Mitchell played just shy of half of the offensive snaps. Mitchell didn't take advantage of Pierce's injury, failing to catch any of his four targets and also throwing a pick-six on a trick play in the fourth quarter. Pierce's status for Week 16 against the division-rival Tennessee Titans is now firmly up in the air.

Indianapolis Colts kicker Matt Gay knocked through both of his field goal attempts on Sunday and converted his extra point attempt in the 31-13 loss to the Broncos. The 30-year-old has now made at least two field goals in 10 of the last 11 games and has gone a perfect 23-for-23 on extra points this season. The Colts seem to move the ball just well enough to get him a couple of chances per game but they also turn the ball over so much that he doesn't have big fantasy days. Nevertheless, the sixth-year pro has been a steady source of points for the bulk of the season and should be in line for a few more successful tries next week versus the Titans. The game will be at home for the Colts so he won't have to contend with the elements either.

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (shoulder) returned from injury on Sunday, but was only able to corral three of his eight targets for 32 scoreless yards in Sunday's 31-13 loss to the Broncos. With quarterback Anthony Richardson completing less than 50% of his passes in the contest, no receiver had a big day in this offense. The eight targets were second to Michael Pittman Jr.'s nine, but it was at least an encouraging sign that more bountiful fantasy days could be ahead if Richardson can fix the accuracy issue. With the fantasy football playoffs upon us, there isn't much time to resolve it though and the 23-year-old is probably too risky to play in most leagues. The Titans, next week's opponent, are middle of the pack versus wide receivers in terms of fantasy points allowed, and just allowed 14 catches for 182 yards to Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, but Downs will be a dicey WR option given his environment.

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. led the team in targets, receptions, and yards in Sunday's 31-13 loss to the Broncos. Unfortunately, with Anthony Richardson under center that hasn't amounted to much this season, as the 27-year-old caught six of his nine targets for 58 yards and no scores. Pittman also lost one of the three fumbles the Colts lost on the day, further diminishing his fantasy output. The 6-foot-4 wideout has become Richardson's preferred option in the passing attack since being renamed starter back in Week 13, but hasn't found the end zone since Week 6 and hasn't topped 100 yards receiving since Week 4. The fifth-year pro gets a more favorable matchup in Week 16 against the Titans, but with the inefficiency of the passing game, Pittman figures to be a low-end WR3 or Flex option next Sunday.