INDIANAPOLIS COLTS NEWS

Genard Avery - Past foot injury Avery (foot) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice.

Impact Avery missed the Indianapolis' Week 8 loss to the Texans due to a foot injury; however, Wednesday's full practice suggests that he's now moved past the issue. The Memphis product has only suited up for one game this season and is expected to continue serving as a depth piece on the Colts' defensive line as the season progresses.

OCTOBER 30 • ROTOWIRE

Michael Pittman Jr. - Misses another Wednesday practice Pittman (back) didn't practice Wednesday.

Impact The same applies to Josh Downs (toe), though it's worth noting that the duo's practice reps have been managed of late, and that they both also missed the last three Wednesday practice sessions. Pittman -- who logged a 95 percent snap share in this past Sunday's 23-20 loss to Texans, en route to catching one of his six targets for 16 yards -- now has two more chances to upgrade to full participation ahead of this weekend's game against the Vikings. Assuming he's available for the contest, the wideout's fantasy prospects should be bolstered by the installation of Joe Flacco as the Colts' QB going forward.

OCTOBER 30 • ROTOWIRE

Coach Shane Steichen says QB switch was made because Colts want to win now

Indianapolis Colts coach Shane Steichen says his decision to change quarterbacks came down to one reason

OCTOBER 30 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Anthony Richardson - Team pivots to Flacco going forward Head coach Shane Steichen confirmed Wednesday that Joe Flacco will replace Richardson as the Colts' starting QB "going forward," JJ Stankevitz of the team's official site reports.

Impact The decision to switch QB's ahead of Sunday night's game against the Vikings had already been revealed, but Steichen noted Wednesday that the move is not just a one-week change. "I'm just looking where we're at as a football team, sitting at .500 with a lot of football left," Steichen said, "and feel that Joe gives us the best chance going forward." While Steichen added the Colts are "not giving up on (Richardson) by any means," the 2023 first-rounder is now slated to back up Flacco for the foreseeable future.

OCTOBER 30 • ROTOWIRE

Joe Flacco - Starter going forward Head coach Steichen noted Wednesday that Flacco will start at quarterback for the Colts "going forward," JJ Stankevitz of the team's official site reports.

Impact It was already known that Colts planned to start Joe Flacco rather than Anthony Richardson on Sunday night against the Vikings, however Steichen clarified Wednesday that the move is not just a one-week change. With that in mind, Steichen said, "I'm just looking where we're at as a football team, sitting at .500 with a lot of football left...and feel that Joe gives us the best chance going forward." While Steichen says that the team is "not giving up on (Richardson) by any means," the 2023 first-rounder will be the team's backup signal-caller for the foreseeable future, a context that makes Flacco a worthwhile add for those in need of QB help heading into Week 9 action.

OCTOBER 30 • ROTOWIRE

A record-tying 9 NFL teams have lost at least 6 games in the first 8 weeks

The NFL has been on a race to the bottom this season

OCTOBER 30 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

By benching Anthony Richardson, the Colts have reentered QB purgatory

The Colts were in quarterback purgatory after Andrew Luck's 2019 retirement. Here's why they've gone back by benching Anthony Richardson.

OCTOBER 29

Colts benching Anthony Richardson to start Joe Flacco at quarterback vs. Vikings, AP sources say

The Indianapolis Colts are benching Anthony Richardson to start Joe Flacco at quarterback on Sunday at Minnesota, two people with knowledge of the decision tell The Associated Pres...

OCTOBER 29 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Colts are benching Anthony Richardson and starting Joe Flacco at quarterback on Sunday against Vikings, AP sources say

Colts are benching Anthony Richardson and starting Joe Flacco at quarterback on Sunday against Vikings, AP sources say

OCTOBER 29 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Joe Flacco - Will start against Minnesota Flacco will start Sunday at Minnesota in place of Anthony Richardson, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Impact Head coach Shane Steichen hinted at a possible change under center Monday, when he was non-committal about Richardson's status for Week 9. Flacco filled in admirably with a 7:1 TD:INT in three games (two starts) when Richardson was injured earlier in the season. It's not clear at this point if Flacco will be the starter the rest of the season, but he may continue to lead the offense while the Colts are in the playoff hunt.

OCTOBER 29 • ROTOWIRE

Anthony Richardson - Being benched in favor of Flacco The Colts have decided Tuesday to bench Richardson and move forward with veteran quarterback Joe Flacco under center, beginning with Sunday's game against the Vikings, Adam Schefte...

Impact Head coach Shane Steichen hinted at a possible change under center Monday, when he was non-committal about Richardson's status for Week 9. A 2023 first-round pick, Richardson was always considered a developmental prospect due to his minimal amount of games started at the collegiate level, but with the Colts sitting at a 4-4 record and in contention for a playoff berth, Steichen and the coaching staff are clearly more confident in Flacco's ability to command the offense. Richardson hasn't completed more than 50 percent of his pass attempts in any of the five regular-season games he's finished this season, and his mistake-prone playstyle has balanced out whatever pluses his elite athleticism adds to Indianapolis' offense. It remains to be seen whether the Colts plan to turn back to Richardson down the stretch, after he's given more time to develop in a backup role.

OCTOBER 29 • ROTOWIRE

Colts reportedly benching Anthony Richardson, Joe Flacco named starting QB

The Colts are making a QB change after Anthony Richardson took himself out of Sunday's loss to the Texans for a play.

OCTOBER 29

QB Stock Market Week 9: Jalen Hurts looks like old self. Anthony Richardson looks young

The Chiefs aren't asking Patrick Mahomes to do much. The Ravens are asking Lamar Jackson to do everything. Here are Henry McKenna's latest Q...

OCTOBER 29

Julian Blackmon - Solid in road loss Blackmon recorded eight tackles (six solo) during Sunday's 23-20 loss at Houston.

Impact Sunday's game was Blackmon's second straight collecting at least eight tackles, bringing his total on the season up to 49. That's good enough for IDP consideration in some formats heading into a Week 9 tilt at Minnesota.

OCTOBER 29 • ROTOWIRE

Zaire Franklin - Colts' leading tackler in loss Franklin recorded 11 tackles (seven solo) during Sunday's 23-20 loss at Houston.

Impact Franklin managed double digits in the tackle department for the fifth time this season in Week 8. His 87 tackles through eight games are more than any other player in the league, and he'll be looking to hold onto those bragging rights in Week 9 at Minnesota.

OCTOBER 29 • ROTOWIRE

Colts coach Shane Steichen is 'evaluating' whether Anthony Richardson will remain the starter

Colts coach Shane Steichen says he's “evaluating everything,” including whether Anthony Richardson will remain the starter when Indianapolis plays at Minnesota next weekend

OCTOBER 28 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

DeForest Buckner - Gets sack in return from IR Buckner had three total tackles, a sack and two QB hits in Sunday's loss at Houston.

Impact Bucker missed five games since being placed on IR due to a high-ankle sprain sustained Week 2. He was back to full strength playing on 43 of the defense's 71 snaps.

OCTOBER 28 • ROTOWIRE

E.J. Speed - Ten tackles in return Speed had 10 total tackles, a tackle for a loss and a pass defensed in Sunday's loss at Houston.

Impact Speed missed last week's win over Miami due to a knee injury but was back to full speed. He played on all 71 of the defense's 71 snaps.

OCTOBER 28 • ROTOWIRE

Kylen Granson - Just one reception in loss Granson had one reception for four yards on two targets in Sunday's loss at Houston.

Impact Granson was the only tight end in the Indy offense to record a catch amid starting quarterback Anthony Richardson's struggles (10-of-32 passing for 175 yards). The Colts again split playing time fairly evenly between four tight ends, and none got significant targets, making any a poor fantasy option.

OCTOBER 28 • ROTOWIRE

Kylen Granson - Just one reception in loss Granson had one reception for four yards on two targets in Sunday's loss at Houston.

Impact Granson was the only tight end in the Indy offense to record a catch amid starting quarterback Anthony Richardson's struggles (10-of-32 passing for 175 yards). The Colts again split playing time fairly evenly between four tight ends, and none got significant targets, making any a poor fantasy option.

OCTOBER 28 • ROTOWIRE

Tyler Goodson - Has drop on only target Goodson had a drop on his only target in Sunday's loss at Houston.

Impact Goodson played just two snaps on offense as he and Trey Sermon will have limited backup roles with the return of of Jonathan Taylor from an ankle injury. Goodson appeared to move head of Trey Sermon in the backfield mix last week with Taylor out, but Sermon played 10 snaps Sunday with Taylor playing 52 snaps. His drop won't help him work his way into the backfield mix as the receiving back either.

OCTOBER 28 • ROTOWIRE

Tyler Goodson - Has drop on only target Goodson had a drop on his only target in Sunday's loss at Houston.

Impact Goodson played just two snaps on offense, as he and Trey Sermon will have limited backup roles with the return of Jonathan Taylor from an ankle injury. Goodson appeared to move ahead of Sermon in the backfield mix last week with Taylor out, but Sermon played 10 snaps Sunday with Taylor playing 52 snaps. Goodson's pass drop won't help him work his way into the backfield mix as the receiving back, either.

OCTOBER 28 • ROTOWIRE

Trey Sermon - Back to limited role on offense Sermon had one reception for 14 yards and no carries in Sunday's loss at Houston.

Impact With the return of Jonathan Taylor from an ankle injury, Sermon moved to a limited backup role. He played on just 10 of the offense's 64 snaps while Taylor played on 52 snaps and Tyler Goodson played on two snaps. Sermon will likely have a minimal role while Taylor is healthy.

OCTOBER 28 • ROTOWIRE