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Tyler Warren Tyler Warren Five grabs to cap first NFL season
Sun, Jan 4, 2026, 5:57 PM
Warren caught five of eight targets for 26 yards in Sunday's 38-30 loss to the Texans.
Analysis: With Riley Leonard getting his first career start at quarterback, Warren wound up being nothing more than a security blanket and check-down option for his fellow rookie, with his longest gain going for just nine yards. The five receptions still led the Colts, however. Warren puts his first NFL season in the books with a 76-817-4 line on 112 targets, and depending on how the team solves its QB dilemma this offseason, the tight end could be poised for a Year 2 breakout. |
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Alec Pierce Alec Pierce Huge performance to cap campaign
Sun, Jan 4, 2026, 5:44 PM
Pierce caught four of seven targets for 132 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 38-30 loss to the Texans.
Analysis: With Riley Leonard getting his first career start at quarterback, Pierce stepped up as the rookie's top downfield option, hauling in a 66-yard score in the first quarter and an eight-yard TD in the second. The fourth-year wideout wasn't able to add to his numbers in the fourth quarter, however, getting ejected late in the third for making contact with an official while complaining about the lack of a pass interference call on a potential third touchdown. Pierce finishes 2025 with career highs in catches (47), yards (1,003) and targets (84) while scoring six TDs, but his fantasy appeal next year will depend a great deal on how the Colts solve their QB dilemma this offseason. |
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Jonathan Taylor Jonathan Taylor Held in check in season finale
Sun, Jan 4, 2026, 5:38 PM
Taylor carried the ball 14 times for 26 yards and caught both his targets for 13 yards in Sunday's 38-30 loss to the Texans.
Analysis: It was the least productive game of the season for Taylor, as his longest run went for only eight yards and rookie DJ Giddens wound up leading the Colts with 30 rushing yards. Taylor missed his chance to catch James Cook for the NFL rushing crown, but he still wraps up an impressive campaign with 1,585 rushing yards and a career-high 18 TDs on the ground, along with a 46-378-2 line on 55 targets through the air. The 26-year-old RB will head into 2026 as the centerpiece of the Indianapolis offense. |
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Riley Leonard Riley Leonard Produced three TDs in first start
Sun, Jan 4, 2026, 5:25 PM
Leonard completed 21 of 34 passes for 270 yards and two touchdowns with one interception in Sunday's 38-30 loss to the Texans. He added 21 rushing yards and a TD on three carries but lost two fumbles.
Analysis: Despite the turnovers, it was a surprisingly productive performance from the sixth-round rookie in his first career NFL start against an elite Houston defense that still had something to play for when the game began. Both of Leonard's passing TDs went to Alec Pierce, and the QB's one-yard rushing score in the third quarter briefly gave Indy a 24-23 lead. The Colts' quarterback situation heading into 2026 remains murky with Daniel Jones (Achilles) a free agent and Anthony Richardson (eye) barely playing this season and getting little chance to further his development, but Leonard is unlikely to find himself at the top of the depth chart in Week 1. |
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Sean McKeon Sean McKeon Elevated to active roster
Sat, Jan 3, 2026, 11:25 AM
The Colts elevated McKeon from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday.
Analysis: McKeon signed with the Colts' practice squad in August. If he suits up and plays Sunday, it will be his first action this season. With Will Mallory and Drew Ogletree ruled out for the season finale, McKeon will likely play in the No. 3 tight end spot behind Tyler Warren and Mo Alie-Cox. |
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Will Mallory Will Mallory Won't play Week 18
Fri, Jan 2, 2026, 1:21 PM
Mallory (lung) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Texans, Amanda Foster of the Colts' official site reports.
Analysis: Mallory was unable to practice Wednesday or Thursday and is now in line to miss the Week 18 divisional matchup due to a lung issue. The third-year pro from Miami appeared in just two games for Indianapolis this season, catching his lone target for 16 yards across 16 offensive snaps. While Mallory is sidelined Sunday, expect Tyler Warren and Mo Alie-Cox to serve as the Colts' top tight ends. |
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Tyler Goodson Tyler Goodson Clear for Week 18 return
Wed, Dec 31, 2025, 7:41 PM
Goodson (ankle) wasn't listed on the Colts' first Week 18 injury report Wednesday.
Analysis: Goodson sat out a Week 17 loss to the Jaguars due to an ankle injury, but the issue clearly is behind him, and he'll be available Sunday at Houston for his typical roles on special teams and whatever top two RBs Jonathan Taylor and Ameer Abdullah may cede on offense. In 10 games this season, Goodson has eight carries for 21 yards, two catches (on three targets) for eight yards, no touchdowns and two kick returns for 60 yards. |
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Will Mallory Will Mallory Deemed DNP with lung injury
Wed, Dec 31, 2025, 3:02 PM
Mallory (lung) was estimated as a non-participant in Wednesday's practice walkthrough.
Analysis: It's not clear when Mallory was hurt, though it may have been Sunday against Jacksonville, when he logged a season-high 11 offensive snaps and made his first catch of the campaign. With the Colts officially eliminated from playoff contention, Mallory could see more work Sunday versus Houston if he's able to suit up, but the lung issue could throw a wrench in that potential opportunity. Mallory will have two more days this week to get onto the practice field before Indianapolis assigns injury designations. |
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Anthony Richardson Anthony Richardson Will not be activated from IR
Wed, Dec 31, 2025, 10:51 AM
Richardson (eye) will not be activated from injured reserve this week and is out for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Texans.
Analysis: Richardson is still having vision impairments after suffering a fractured orbital bone Oct. 12. He had his 21-day practice window opened Dec. 18 but has only been a limited participant in practice the past couple weeks. After making 11 starts in 2024, Richardson lost his starting job to Daniel Jones over the summer, and the Colts then turned to 44-year-old Philip Rivers in Week 15 in an attempt to save the season. Richardson made just two appearances in 2025, completing one of two passes for nine yards. He "rushed" four times for negative-one yard via kneel-downs. Richardson's future in Indianapolis will be a discussion point this upcoming offseason. |
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Riley Leonard Riley Leonard Week 18 start confirmed
Wed, Dec 31, 2025, 10:41 AM
Coach Shane Steichen confirmed Wednesday that Leonard will start Sunday's season finale against the Texans, JJ Stankevitz of the Colts' official site reports.
Analysis: Additionally, Steichen noted that the Colts won't activate Anthony Richardson (orbital) from injured reserve this week. Veteran signal-caller Philip Rivers' three-week stint as the team's starter thus concludes, with practice squad member Seth Henigan a candidate to be elevated ahead of Week 18 action in order to back Leonard up. Leonard represents a fantasy lineup option for those scrambling for QB help this weekend, given that teams such as the Chargers (who plan to rest Justin Herbert) may elect to keep a number of starters out of harm's way. |
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Anthony Richardson Anthony Richardson Not expected back for finale
Tue, Dec 30, 2025, 9:55 AM
The Colts aren't expected to activate Richardson (eye) from injured reserve ahead of Sunday's season finale versus the Texans, Stephen Holder and Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com report.
Analysis: Richardson was cleared to resume practicing Dec. 18, but he's been nothing more than a limited participant over the past two weeks while he has yet to regain full vision in his right eye since fracturing an orbital bone Oct. 12. The third-year quarterback should continue to practice in some fashion this week, but the Colts plan to have Riley Leonard make his first NFL start in the season finale, while Philip Rivers will serve as the No. 2 signal-caller. Richardson will thus close the season having made just two brief appearances at the tail end of blowout wins in Weeks 3 and 5, and Indianapolis will most likely decline the pricey fifth-year team option on his rookie contract this offseason. The 23-year-old will still remain on the Colts' books through next season, however, and he could be a candidate to open 2026 as the team's starter with Daniel Jones (Achilles) headed for free agency and at risk of missing time to begin the campaign even if Indianapolis re-signs him. The Colts' plans at quarterback for 2026 should gain more clarity early on during the offseason. |
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Riley Leonard Riley Leonard In line to start season finale
Tue, Dec 30, 2025, 9:11 AM
The Colts plan to have Leonard start at quarterback in Sunday's season finale at Houston, Stephen Holder and Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com report.
Analysis: With the Colts getting eliminated from playoff contention over the past weekend, 44-year-old Philip Rivers will head to the bench following a three-game run as starter as head coach Shane Steichen turns the offense over to Leonard. A rookie sixth-round pick out of Notre Dame, Leonard has seen spot playing time in three of his four appearances this season, with his lone extended action coming in Week 14 at Jacksonville after Daniel Jones exited early with a season-ending Achilles injury. Altogether, Leonard has completed 18 of 33 pass attempts for 145 yards, zero touchdowns and two interceptions while adding six yards and a score on three carries. Though Leonard likely isn't seen as the Colts' long-term answer at quarterback, a strong showing in Week 18 could strengthen his case for sticking around as a backup option heading into 2026. |
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Ameer Abdullah Ameer Abdullah One touch in loss
Mon, Dec 29, 2025, 11:11 AM
Abdullah caught his lone target for four yards during Sunday's 23-17 loss to the Jaguars.
Analysis: The 32-year-old from Nebraska has now gone without a carry in each of the Colts' last two games. Through 12 appearances this season, Abdullah has rushed 13 times for 59 yards and a touchdown while catching 14 of 15 targets for 75 yards. Additionally, he's logged 510 kick-return yards while operating as one of Indianapolis' top return men. Expect Abdullah to remain one of the team's primary kick returners in the Week 18 matchup against the Texans. |
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Mo Alie-Cox Mo Alie-Cox Nabs touchdown vs. Jags
Mon, Dec 29, 2025, 11:08 AM
Alie-Cox caught all three of his targets for 20 yards and a touchdown during Sunday's 23-17 loss to the Jaguars.
Analysis: Through the Colts' first 14 games this season, Alie-Cox had caught just five of 11 targets for 59 yards. However, in the team's last two games, the VCU product has secured all five of his targets for 36 yards and a touchdown, suggesting his role in Indianapolis' offense may be expanding. He's expected to operate as the Colts' No. 2 tight end in the Week 18 matchup against the Texans. |
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Riley Leonard Riley Leonard Could be option to start Week 18
Mon, Dec 29, 2025, 10:55 AM
Leonard could be an option to start the Colts' regular-season finale next Sunday against the Texans, JJ Stankevitz of the Colts' official site reports.
Analysis: Coach Shane Steichen said he'll make a decision on the Week 18 starter Tuesday. Indianapolis was officially eliminated from playoff contention Saturday when the Texans defeated the Chargers, but after Philip Rivers went through practice all week as the starter, the 44-year-old veteran got the nod for Sunday's 23-17 loss to the Jaguars. With Indy having blown a 7-1 start to the season and now sitting at home for the postseason, the team may use Week 18 to get a look at Leonard, a sixth-round rookie who has completed 18 of 33 pass attempts for 145 yards and a pair of interceptions so far in the NFL, including one INT on a Hail Mary at the end of Week 17's loss to the Jaguars. He's added six yards and one touchdown on three carries, but he showed more mobility in college, running for an impressive 906 yards and 17 TDs as a senior with the Fighting Irish. As it stands, Leonard should probably be viewed as the favorite to start against Houston next Sunday. |
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Alec Pierce Alec Pierce Silent on five targets
Sun, Dec 28, 2025, 10:22 PM
Pierce didn't record a catch on five targets in Sunday's 23-17 loss to the Jaguars.
Analysis: Pierce tied for second on the team with five targets, though he was unable to convert any into receptions. It marked the first time this season that he has been held without a catch, and his inability to get on the same page with Philip Rivers was particularly noteworthy considering the duo connected for a pair of scores in Week 16. Pierce has already set a career high in receptions and yards this season, though this performance will likely cost him the chance at 1,000 receiving yards heading into a Week 18 matchup against the Texans. |
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Josh Downs Josh Downs Slowed by Jags
Sun, Dec 28, 2025, 10:11 PM
Downs recorded two receptions on five targets for 34 yards in Sunday's 23-17 loss to the Jaguars.
Analysis: Downs tied for second on the team in targets, though Philip Rivers continued to spread opportunity evenly among his pass catchers. While he didn't convert his targets into receptions efficiently, Downs did manage to turn in long catches of 18 and 16 yards. He now has at least five targets in six consecutive games, though target allocation could change in Week 18 against the Texans if the Colts turn to Riley Leonard at quarterback now that they have officially been eliminated from playoff contention. |
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Tyler Warren Tyler Warren Leads Colts pass catchers
Sun, Dec 28, 2025, 8:03 PM
Warren recorded five receptions on five targets for 43 yards in Sunday's 23-17 loss to the Jaguars.
Analysis: Philip Rivers spread targets around to a wide range of pass catchers, as at least five Colts earned at least three targets. Warren was second among the group, though he led the team in yardage thanks to long gains of 14 and 12 yards. This marked his highest yardage total in a game since Week 12, and he should remain a key part of the offense in Week 18 against the Texans, even with Indianapolis eliminated from playoff contention. |
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Michael Pittman Michael Pittman Another quiet day
Sun, Dec 28, 2025, 7:53 PM
Pittman recorded two receptions on three targets for 16 yards in Sunday's 23-17 loss to the Jaguars.
Analysis: Pittman's disappearance from the Colts' offense continued Sunday, as he finished tied for fourth on the team in targets with Mo Alie-Cox. His impact during the competitive portion of the game was even more limited than the box score indicates, as he tallied a 12-yard catch while the Jaguars were in prevent defense in the final moments. Pittman missed a few plays early in the second quarter after suffering a calf injury, which could complicate his outlook for a Week 18 matchup against the Texans, given that the Colts have been eliminated from playoff contention. Even if Pittman does suit up, he's been held to 35 yards or fewer in five of his last six contests. |
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Jonathan Taylor Jonathan Taylor Reaches end zone in Week 17
Sun, Dec 28, 2025, 4:30 PM
Taylor rushed the ball 21 times for 70 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 23-17 loss to the Jaguars. He added three receptions on six targets for 14 yards.
Analysis: The Jaguars boast one of the best run defenses in the league, and they made running room hard to come by for Taylor. His longest rush went for only 10 yards, though he still turned in a solid fantasy performance thanks to his volume of touches as well as a three-yard touchdown plunge early in the second quarter. Taylor now has 20 total touchdowns for the season and has at least 70 yards from scrimmage in five consecutive contests. It's unclear if the Colts will alter their backfield usage in Week 18 after being eliminated from playoff contention, but Taylor will face a very tough Texans run defense to close the 2025 campaign. |
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