Indianapolis Colts News

Indianapolis Colts kicker Spencer Shrader is hopeful for more action after not making much of an impact last weekend. Shrader made his lone extra point attempt and didn't attempt a field goal during the Week 8 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. In Week 7, Shrader missed two field goals in the defeat to the Minnesota Vikings. Fantasy managers can be hopeful for a rebound performance against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 9. The Cowboys rank 29th in the league when it comes to kicker points allowed. The Colts offense has been a disaster, which is holding Shrader back at times. They should be able to rebound this weekend and give Shrader plenty of chances. Fantasy managers should feel comfortable plugging in Shrader as their kicker this weekend.

Indianapolis Colts tight end Tyler Warren is hopeful for a bounce-back outing after posting a dud against the Jacksonville Jaguars last week. Warren made his return to the field in Week 8 after missing two games due to a groin injury. Warren was quiet as he hauled in four of his 10 targets for 18 yards in the loss. The double-digit targets are great to see, but it doesn't mean anything when the performance is terrible. Warren should rebound against the struggling Dallas Cowboys defense in Week 9. A unit that currently ranks 23rd in passing yards allowed coming into this game. Warren is ranked as Rotoballer's TE9 for Week 9 and should be considered a low-end TE1 for this game.

Indianapolis Colts running back Seth McGowan remains a top stash target ahead of the trade deadline. It sounds likely that the Colts will keep Jonathan Taylor, but fantasy managers should stash McGowan just in case. Last week, McGowan carried the ball five times for 29 yards during the blowout loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. With Taylor possibly leaving, McGowan could see an expanded role during the Week 9 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. It's a favorable matchup with the Cowboys having the worst run defense in the league. Despite it being a great matchup, McGowan is too risky to start in fantasy formats with Taylor still on the team. The 25-year-old is worth stashing, but he isn't an ideal streaming option for Week 9.

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor is set to play in Week 9 despite all the trade rumors surrounding him. It sounds increasingly likely that Taylor remains with the team. It doesn't sound like any organizations are offering premium capital for Taylor, so the Colts will likely keep him. That should mean that Taylor has a normal workload against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 9. Taylor saw a season-low eight rushing attempts during last week's loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Taylor should bounce back against the Cowboys, who have the worst run defense in the league. The stud back ranks as Rotoballer's RB10 and should be considered a strong RB1 against the horrendous Cowboys rush defense.

The Minnesota Vikings could try to acquire quarterback Daniel Jones and running back Jonathan Taylor ahead of the Nov. 10 trade deadline, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Minnesota is reportedly exploring the possibility of a quarterback trade after losing their first game of the season in Week 9, even though Kyler Murray (hamstring) turned in a fine performance with 210 passing yards, 35 rushing yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. The run game has been a much bigger weakness for the Vikings, which explains their interest in Taylor, who already has 610 rushing yards, 202 receiving yards, and eight touchdowns through eight games this season. Florio notes that the Colts would love to get a first-round pick -- they traded their own 2026 first-rounder to the Jets last year -- but packaging Jones and Taylor together might be their only path to securing a Day 1 selection. Trading a first-rounder for Jones, who has six touchdowns and 12 turnovers this year, and Taylor may feel like a steep price, but the fact that the pick will likely be later in the first round might soften the blow. It's also worth noting that the Vikings have a pre-existing connection to Jones, as they rostered the veteran passer as a backup between his stints with the Giants and the Colts.

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs drew five targets in Week 8, and although he caught four of them, it amounted to just 23 receiving yards. On the bright side, the UNC product hauled in his first touchdown catch of the season, but at 5-foot-9, he's not a big end zone target, so it remains to be seen if he can continue that trend consistently going forward. The former third-rounder has never caught more than five touchdowns in a single season, however, this week's matchup with the Cowboys is one of the more favorable around, so he certainly has a shot to score in back-to-back weeks. Averaging under four catches and 42 yards per game, the 25-year-old has a low floor and a low ceiling, making him a solid but unexciting WR4/Flex play this week, with slight upside given the forgiving defense he'll be going up against.

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Keenan Allen earned seven targets in Week 8, reeling in all seven for 67 yards. It was the fourth time in the last five games in which the veteran garnered at least seven targets, and he should be in line for a similar workload in Week 9 against a Dallas defense that has been generous to opposing wideouts. The Cowboys are yielding the fifth-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers, allowing eight touchdowns and the sixth-most receiving yards to that position through eight weeks (1313; 164.1 yds/game). The Colts will be missing multiple pieces on defense in this one, so both offenses could have a chance to shine in a game with a high projected total. View the 34-year-old receiver as a borderline WR3/4 or solid Flex play in Week 9, with some upside in PPR formats.

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones will start against the Dallas Cowboys despite being replaced in the fourth quarter of last Sunday's 42-7 loss to Jacksonville. He completed 19 of 28 passes for 144 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions before Anthony Richardson Sr. took over with the Colts trailing by 35. Coach Shane Steichen attributed the switch to the lopsided score, but Jones has thrown only five touchdowns against nine interceptions across eight games. Dallas presents one of the friendlier passing matchups, allowing 15 touchdowns through the air while ranking 30th in defensive EPA allowed per dropback. The Cowboys were exposed again in Week 8 after Gardner Minshew II replaced Jacoby Brissett late in the third quarter and threw for 188 yards and three touchdowns in Arizona's overtime win. Even so, RotoBaller's Week 9 rankings place Jones at QB27, making him a desperation option in Superflex leagues. He has taken 13 sacks over his last three starts, while right tackle Jalen Travis (thumb, hamstring) is questionable despite a full Friday practice.

Quarterback Daniel Jones might prefer a trade, but the Indianapolis Colts have told interested teams that they are not trading him, according to The Ringer's Tom Pelissero. Teams have reached out to the Colts about acquiring the 29-year-old signal-caller, but they apparently have not received any offers to their liking, and he is likely to stick around for the rest of the 2026 season. In addition to Jones, it is increasingly unlikely that Indy will trade star running back Jonathan Taylor by Tuesday's deadline unless they receive an offer that they cannot refuse. Jones has mostly struggled this year after tearing his right Achilles tendon on Dec. 7 of last year, completing a career-low 60.4% of his pass attempts for 1,542 yards, five touchdowns, and nine interceptions in eight starts. The Colts are 2-6 going into Sunday's game against the Dallas Cowboys, and Jones may need to turn things around quickly to avoid being benched in favor of Anthony Richardson Sr. It has not helped Jones' cause that his top wideout, Alec Pierce (heel), has missed most of the season. Even in a good matchup in Week 9 against Dallas, Jones is a low-end QB2 option in fantasy football.

The Ringer's Tom Pelissero reports that the most likely destination for Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor at the Nov. 10 trade deadline is staying with the Colts. Only the type of blockbuster trade offer that no team has made could potentially pry him away from Indianapolis. The Colts reportedly quickly rejected an offer of a 2027 second-round pick plus another pick for Taylor. Pelissero adds that no team has come close to offering the type of premium capital that would persuade Indy to deal him. Taylor is still only 27 years old and just signed a two-year, $4 million contract extension in August. Barring an injury during the rest of the 2026 season, he will have just as much, if not more, trade value next March, when a new general manager will be in place for the Colts. At this point, only a blockbuster offer would change the Colts' mind. For fantasy football purposes, a trade to a contender would certainly be a boost for Taylor's immediate value, but it does not look like that is going to happen. Regardless, he will continue to be a high-end, must-start RB1, and he has a nice bounce-back opportunity against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 9.

The Indianapolis Colts have heard from multiple teams with interest in trading for quarterback Daniel Jones, per ESPN's Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport. Jones has had a rough 2026 season so far, completing 60.4% of his pass attempts for 1,542 yards, five touchdowns, and nine interceptions across eight games. However, the 29-year-old is just one season removed from the best year of his career in 2025, when he threw for 3,101 yards and 19 touchdowns over 13 games before suffering a season-ending torn Achilles. The 2-6 Colts have already started trading off key pieces and could look to move on from Jones as well. If Jones is no longer in Indianapolis after the deadline, former first-round pick Anthony Richardson would likely take over under center.

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor said on Thursday that he did not request a trade, according to Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan. Taylor has been the hottest name around the league with the NFL trade deadline quickly approaching next Tuesday. The Colts have already traded Pro Bowl guard Quenton Nelson and Pro Bowl defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, and the 27-year-old Pro Bowl running back could be the next to go. Indianapolis is not going to just give Taylor away, though, and it could require two first-round picks to secure his services. It remains to be seen if a contending team will step up to meet the Colts' high asking price for Taylor. For now, he is still a member of the Colts and will have a great bounce-back opportunity this weekend against the visiting Dallas Cowboys and their shaky run defense. JT had a season-low eight rushing attempts for 23 yards and caught four passes for 24 yards in the blowout loss to the division-rival Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 8, but he remains a high-end RB1 talent in fantasy and should be started in all formats if he is still with the Colts for kickoff of Sunday's game against Dallas. Despite the Colts struggling as a team, Taylor is the RB5 in half-PPR scoring in 2026 with 610 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on the ground, adding 202 receiving yards.

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor has emerged as a speculative trade target for the San Francisco 49ers ahead of Tuesday's NFL trade deadline. Chris Simms said Thursday on ProFootballTalk Live that some people around the league are wondering whether San Francisco could pursue Taylor, although there is no confirmation that the 49ers have contacted Indianapolis about a deal. The Colts are reportedly seeking a compensation package comparable to what San Francisco surrendered to acquire Christian McCaffrey in 2022, but interested teams have yet to meet that asking price. Taylor has rushed for 610 yards and eight touchdowns on 148 carries through eight games this season. A move to San Francisco would create considerable uncertainty about how Taylor and McCaffrey would share opportunities in the short term, while potentially raising questions about McCaffrey's future beyond 2026. For now, the 49ers connection remains speculation rather than a reported negotiation.

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. said Thursday that he hasn't been thinking about his offseason trade request or Tuesday's NFL trade deadline, according to James Boyd of The Athletic. Richardson, who requested a trade in February, told reporters that his focus remains on preparing and getting another opportunity to play. The former fourth overall pick stayed with Indianapolis and earned the backup job behind Daniel Jones, making his first appearance of the season in Sunday's 42-7 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Richardson completed both passes for eight yards and rushed twice for four yards after replacing Jones in the fourth quarter. Despite Jones' struggles, head coach Shane Steichen confirmed he will remain the starter against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 9. Richardson's comments do not clarify whether his trade request has formally changed, and his current backup role limits his immediate fantasy appeal to speculative stashes in Superflex and two-quarterback leagues.

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor could still be on the move before the NFL Trade Deadline next week, but right now the team's high asking price hasn't been met, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Multiple teams are still interested and have offered a significant package of picks, but the team is looking for draft pick compensation similar to what the Panthers received in the Christian McCaffrey trade. The Colts still view Taylor as a key part of their future, so they seem comfortable keeping him and building around him if teams aren't willing to rise to their asking price. If he is traded, he'll have a major fantasy impact on the existing running back situation where he lands, and the Colts would likely turn to rookie Seth McGowan as their primary running back for the rest of the season.

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (heel) is unlikely to return "anytime soon," according to Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan. Pierce hasn't played since Week 2, and for what it's worth, he hasn't been 100% healthy for a game since last season. It doesn't sound like the 26-year-old will be back on the field within the next couple of weeks, even though he is currently eligible to be activated from injured reserve. It's too early to tell whether Pierce is at risk of being shut down for the whole season, but it's something for the Colts to consider as they undergo a partial teardown of their roster. Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner have already been traded, and it seems like offensive staples Jonathan Taylor and Josh Downs could be next. If Indianapolis does wave the white flag on their season, we wouldn't be totally shocked to see Pierce remain on IR and focus on getting healthy for 2027. The idea has gained some traction among local media in Indianapolis, as head coach Shane Steichen was asked if Pierce might not play again this year. "He's rehabbing; can't put a timetable on it right now," Steichen answered. The idea of Pierce being shut down is purely speculation at this point, of course, and we'd still advise managers to stash him in leagues with at least 10-12 teams. If he does return, he'd rank as a fringe WR2 in most leagues, especially if he no longer has to compete with Downs for targets.

When asked why the Indianapolis Colts would play running back Jonathan Taylor amid all the trade speculation surrounding him, head coach Shane Steichen said, "He's still on our football team," per Mike Chappell of FOX 59. Taylor looked emotional on the sideline after the team's blowout loss to the division-rival Jacksonville Jaguars last Sunday, and speculation has been rampant that he will be the next to go as Indy continues their fire sale ahead of next Tuesday's trade deadline. The Colts are asking for a lot in return for the star RB, as they should, but there are likely at least a handful of contending teams that would love to acquire one of the best players at the position. The 27-year-old had a season-low eight carries for only 23 yards and caught four passes for 24 yards in Week 8, but he remains an elite, must-start RB1 in fantasy leagues going into this weekend's game at home against the Dallas Cowboys and their sketchy run defense. If Sunday is Taylor's last game with the Colts, he is going to want to go out in style. If he is traded before Tuesday's deadline, Seth McGowan would become the next man up in Indy as their RB1, so he has become a popular waiver-wire pickup.

The Indianapolis Colts still have a high asking price for running back Jonathan Taylor and maintain they don't need to trade him, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. Taylor has been at the center of countless trade discussions as the team has struggled, and the team has already traded franchise cornerstones, Quentin Nelson and DeForest Buckner. The Colts have remained open to trading the star running back, but his hefty contract and the team's high asking price could make it difficult for other suitors to agree. In eight games this season, Taylor has totaled 148 carries for 610 yards, with eight touchdowns, and has added 21 receptions for 202 yards. Several teams have checked in on Taylor's availability, and while a trade could be in the works, fantasy managers will have to continue to wait for the move to occur.

According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the Baltimore Ravens could have quarterback Daniel Jones on their radar as a short-term option. The Ravens lost star quarterback Lamar Jackson (thumb) for the foreseeable future and backup Tyler Huntley (toe) for the season. The team could trade for Jones as a stopgap amid quarterback injuries. Jones signed a two-year, $88 million contract with the Indianapolis Colts this offseason but has struggled immensely in his second season with the team. The Colts have already traded franchise cornerstones Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner and appear likely to move Jonathan Taylor and Josh Downs as well. While it's unclear where Jones stands and how Baltimore will target their quarterback openings, keep an eye on both situations before this year's deadline.

The Indianapolis Colts and defensive lineman Adetomiwa Adebawore agreed to terms on a two-year, $35 million contract extension on Tuesday that includes a $13 million signing bonus and $22.5 million in new money through next season, according to Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network. The 25-year-old is cashing in on a breakout season and will still have a chance to hit the open market again in his mid-20s. The former fourth-rounder in the 2023 NFL Draft out of Northwestern had a career-high 36 tackles (14 solo), four sacks, five tackles for loss, six QB hits, and a fumble recovery in 17 games played in his third year in the league last year. Adebawore has already matched his sack total from 2025 through the first eight weeks of the 2026 season for the struggling Colts, adding 19 tackles (eight solo), four tackles for loss, eight QB hits, and two pass breakups.