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Ashton Dulin Ashton Dulin Progress but no timeline for return
Wed, May 1, 2024, 3:12 PM
Dulin, who tore his ACL during training camp last season, still doesn't have a timetable for his return, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Dulin is feeling good and doing work on the field, according to Boyd, which at least notes that progress in his recovery is being made. The 26-year-old probably would have operated as the team's No. 4 wideout and possibly return man had he been healthy in 2023, and he'll likely be competing for the same roles in 2024, once he is healthy enough to do so. |
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Anthony Richardson Anthony Richardson Throwing at practice
Wed, May 1, 2024, 10:22 AM
Richardson (shoulder) has resumed throwing at spring practices and looks to be healthy.
Analysis: Head coach Shane Steichen said in March that he expected Richardson to be ready for OTAs in May and June. Steichen's prediction looks to be coming to fruition, though the quarterback won't necessarily be a full participant in all activities coming off surgery on his throwing shoulder in October. He resumed throwing in February and is the unquestioned starting quarterback for an offense that just added wideout Adonai Mitchell in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft. |
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Trey Sermon Trey Sermon Poised for backup role
Sun, Apr 28, 2024, 10:53 PM
With the Colts not taking a running back in the 2024 draft, Sermon and Evan Hull are the primary backups to starter Jonathan Taylor, the Indianapolis Colts reports.
Analysis: It was a mild surprise that the Colts didn't draft a running back or sign a prominent undrafted free agent to compete for the starting role. It's possible the Colts will sign a veteran free agent this spring for depth, but Sermon at this point could have a prominent backup role. Sermon rushed 35 times (including 17 carries in Week 15) for 160 yards to go along with three catches for 13 yards with Indy last season. |
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Alec Pierce Alec Pierce Competition for starting job
Sun, Apr 28, 2024, 10:35 PM
Pierce and 2024 second-round draft pick Adonai Mitchell will compete on the outside for the No. 3 receiver role in training camp, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Pirece has been the starting deep threat for the Colts the last two seasons but without much production (just 32 receptions for 514 yards and two touchdowns last season). While that may have been due to poor quarterback play and a game plan that didn't throw the ball deep, but it has opened the door for a dynamic talent like Mitchell to compete for his job. Mitchell, the former Texas and Georgia receiver, dazzled at the NFL Scouting Combine (4.34-second 40-yard dash, 136-inch broad jump) following a productive end to his Longhorns career (55 catches for 845 yards and 11 touchdowns on 92 targets in 2023). |
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Drew Ogletree Andrew Ogletree Back with team
Fri, Apr 19, 2024, 12:00 PM
GM Chris Ballard noted Friday that Ogletree is off the NFL's Commissioner Exempt List, Stephen Holder of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Per the report, Ogletree -- whose charges stemming from his arrest in December were dismissed last month -- is back with the Colts during offseason workouts. Prior to being placed on the Commissioner Exempt List on Dec. 30, Ogletree caught nine of his 21 targets for 147 yards and two TDs in 12 regular-season games with Indianapolis. |
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Anthony Richardson Anthony Richardson Should be ready for OTAs
Mon, Mar 25, 2024, 4:09 PM
Coach Shane Steichen noted Monday that Richardson (right shoulder) "should be" OK for the Colts' OTAs, which take place in May and early June, JJ Stankevitz of the team's official site reports.
Analysis: "I like where he's at," Steichen said of Richardson, who is bouncing back from surgery that he underwent on his throwing shoulder in October. "He's progressing really, really well. He's just getting better and better." Per James Boyd of The Athletic, Richardson began throwing again last month, and, considering that, the 2023 first-rounder figures to be eased back into his on-field participation, at least initially. In any case, assuming no setbacks, Richardson is set to reclaim his role as the Colts' starting quarterback this coming season, with veteran signal-caller Joe Flacco now on board to work as the team's top backup. |
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Trey Sermon Trey Sermon Re-signs with Indy
Thu, Mar 14, 2024, 3:04 PM
The Colts re-signed Sermon on Thursday, JJ Stankevitz of the team's official site reports.
Analysis: In 14 games for the Colts during the 2023 regular season, Sermon rushed 35 times (including 17 carries in Week 15) for 160 yards to go along with three catches for 13 yards. With Zack Moss now with the Bengals, Sermon will have a chance to carve out a complementary role behind starter Jonathan Taylor in 2024, but chances are Indianapolis will add further backfield depth via free agency or the draft. |
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Joe Flacco Joe Flacco Inking with Indy
Wed, Mar 13, 2024, 6:34 PM
The Colts and Flacco agree to terms Wednesday on a one-year contract worth up to $8.7 million, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Flacco's deal reportedly includes $4.5 million guaranteed. The reigning NFL Comeback Player of the Year is coming off an impressive showing with Cleveland last season, having led the team to a playoff appearance, and he's now slated to replace Gardner Minshew as the top backup to second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson (shoulder). All expectations in Indianapolis are that Richardson will be ready for training camp, and fully cleared well ahead of Week 1, but Flacco makes for a capable backup should he be required to take the field during the 2024 season, in addition to being a valuable mentor. |
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Michael Pittman Michael Pittman Inking three-year extension
Mon, Mar 11, 2024, 10:44 AM
Pittman has agreed to a three-year deal to remain with the Colts, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: The team had previously placed its franchise tag on Pittman, but evidently since then the two sides have been working toward a long-term deal. Per Rapoport, the wideout's looming new contract can reach up to $71.5 million and includes $46 million guaranteed. The 26-year-old is coming off a 2023 regular season in which he posted a career-high 109-1,152-4 line on 156 targets in 16 games. With Pittman staying in the fold in 2024 and beyond, the Colts have secured valuable stability at the wide receiver position, a context that no doubt will benefit the development of young franchise QB Anthony Richardson (shoulder). |
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Jelani Woods Jelani Woods Appears healthy after missed season
Thu, Mar 7, 2024, 11:46 AM
Woods (hamstring) looks healthy in a recent workout video he posted, according to James Boyd of The Athletic.
Analysis: The 2022 third-round pick had a promising rookie season with 25 catches for 312 yards and three touchdowns on 40 targets while splitting TE snaps with Mo Alie-Cox and Kylen Granson. There was some thought Woods would take on a larger role in second pro season, but then he injured his left hamstring in training camp and didn't get it right until the middle of the season, at which point his right hamstring started to bother him and kept him on injured reserve for the rest of the season. Woods is one of the tallest tight ends in the league (6-7) and ran a 4.61-second 40-yard dash at 259 pounds at the 2022 NFL Combine. |
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Michael Pittman Michael Pittman Franchise tagged by Colts
Tue, Mar 5, 2024, 2:13 PM
Indianapolis have placed the franchise tag on Pittman ahead of Tuesday's 4:00 p.m. ET deadline, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: General manager Chris Ballard made clear earlier this offseason that Pittman wouldn't go anywhere, and the franchise tag positions him to play out the 2024 campaign on a fully guaranteed one-year, $21.87 million contract if no long-term alternative is agreed upon. The Colts and Pittman will have until mid-July to continue negotiating a multi-year extension, and the team may well be viewing the franchise tag as a bridge to continue talks. For 2024, at the very least, Pittman's presence will provide young franchise quarterback Anthony Richardson (shoulder) with some stability and a reliable No. 1 target in the receiving game, even if Indianapolis doesn't significantly upgrade its pass-catching corps. Pittman compiled a career-best 109-1,152-4 receiving line on 156 targets in 2023, and his fantasy prospects could improve for 2024 with the promise of flashier quarterback play for a full season. |
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Michael Pittman Michael Pittman Not going anywhere, per GM
Wed, Feb 28, 2024, 1:22 PM
Colts general manager Chris Ballard said Wednesday that Pittman will be on the team's roster for the upcoming season, whether via contract extension or the franchise tag, Nate Atkins of The Indianapolis Star reports.
Analysis: Pittman is approaching free agency for the first time in his NFL career, but the Colts aren't planning on giving him a chance to explore the open market. Indianapolis has until March 5 to decide whether to place the franchise tag on Pittman, which would result in him taking home a salary of approximately $21.8 million for 2024. However, the team seemingly prefers to work out a longer-term extension with Pittman, provided the two sides can come to an agreement. The Colts haven't used the franchise tag since 2013, and Pittman himself has said he would prefer a multi-year contract, per Stephen Holder of ESPN.com. |
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Mo Alie-Cox Mo Alie-Cox Could be done in Indy
Wed, Feb 21, 2024, 9:15 AM
Alie-Cox is scheduled for $5.9 million in non-guaranteed compensation for 2024, making him a candidate to be released this offseason, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: He's entering the final year of his contract and will turn 31 in September. Alie-Cox has long been the Colts' best blocking tight end and has 14 touchdowns among his 102 career receptions, so it won't be surprising if he ends up sticking around, possibly via a contract extension or renegotiated contract. Kylen Granson, Will Mallory, Jelani Woods and Andrew Ogletree are all more likely to operate as the team's top receiving threat at tight end in 2024, though it's been a long time since the Colts had a true No. 1 option rather than taking a committee approach to the position. |
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Mo Alie-Cox Mo Alie-Cox Finds end zone thrice in 2023
Mon, Feb 19, 2024, 2:57 PM
Alie-Cox secured 13 of 22 targets for 161 yards and three touchdowns across 17 regular-season games with the Colts in 2023.
Analysis: Alie-Cox handled his usual depth role with Indianapolis in 2023, as has been usual throughout his six-year NFL career. His yardage total for 2023 was the lowest since 2019, but Alie-Cox's occasional red-zone deployment remained steady. The Colts do have a potential 'out' from Alie-Cox's contract this offseason with zero dead cap for the team, per Spotrac.com, so it seems all but guaranteed that the big-bodied tight end will need to either restructure his deal or be cut. |
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Anthony Richardson Anthony Richardson Resumes throwing
Tue, Feb 13, 2024, 2:38 PM
Richardson (shoulder) has resumed throwing as part of his rehab from right shoulder surgery, per a video posted to his agent Deiric Jackson's X.com account.
Analysis: Richardson is recovering from season-ending surgery undergone Oct. 21, to address a Grade 3 AC Joint sprain suffered Week 5. He also missed time as a rookie due to a concussion suffered Week 2, but it now looks like the 2023 No. 4 overall pick is trending to be cleared well ahead of training camp. Despite only appearing in four games as a rookie, Richardson managed to display the outlandish potential of his unique size and speed profile. With a full offseason to further his development as a signal-caller, Richardson's fantasy upside for 2024 should make him one of the hottest names at the quarterback position. |
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Zack Moss Zack Moss Interested in re-signing
Wed, Jan 24, 2024, 12:19 PM
Moss said Tuesday that he would be interested in re-signing with the Colts this offseason, Nate Atkins of The Indianapolis Star reports.
Analysis: The 2020 third-round draft pick enjoyed a mini-breakout in the final year of his rookie contract, making eight starts for an Indianapolis offense that didn't have Jonathan Taylor in Weeks 1 through 4 and 13 through 15. Taylor's absences allowed Moss to set career highs for snaps, carries, targets, rushing yards and touchdowns, though the 26-year-old finished out his season with only six touches on 11 snaps in a 23-19 loss to the Texans in Week 18 while Taylor took on 32 touches for 196 yards across 51 snaps. It's hard to say if free agency will offer Moss a chance to compete for a starting job elsewhere, but he would have to settle for a clear reserve role if he returns to Indianapolis and if Taylor is healthy to begin the 2024 season. |
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Anthony Richardson Anthony Richardson Could resume throwing soon
Tue, Jan 23, 2024, 4:38 PM
Richardson (shoulder) is ahead of schedule in his rehab and hopes to resume throwing soon, ESPN.com's Stephen Holder reports.
Analysis: It's not clear if his return to throwing is a matter of weeks or months away, but the 2023 fourth overall pick should be healthy long before training camp. Richardson suffered a concussion in Week 2 and a Grade 3 AC Joint sprain in Week 5, with the latter leading to season-ending surgery Oct. 21. Richardson said he struggled to deal with the reality of a lost season for a few weeks, before he eventually "came around and understood [his] purpose" within the Colts organization. He then took part in the game-planning process, meetings and film study, settling for a slow introduction to the NFL after originally being tabbed as a 21-year-old Week 1 starter. Richardson's unmatched combination of size and speed -- along with the mostly impressive 2023 cameo -- should ensure he's a hot commodity in 2024 fantasy drafts and a top-100 pick in most leagues. |
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Kylen Granson Kylen Granson Targeted once against Texans
Wed, Jan 10, 2024, 9:27 AM
Granson caught his lone target for 23 yards in Saturday's 23-19 loss to the Texans.
Analysis: Granson finished the season in quiet fashion, catching just one pass for the third time in the Colts' last four contests. In 15 appearances this season, the 25-year-old tight end recorded just 30 receptions for 368 yards and one touchdown. The Colts spread out the snaps and targets liberally among their tight ends in 2024, capping Granson's potential to produce consistently meaningful numbers for fantasy purposes. Entering the final year of his contract in 2024, Granson will hope to establish a more prominent role in the Colts' offensive plans, though he could face another threat to his playing time in Jelani Woods (hamstring), who saw plenty of involvement as a rookie in 2022 before having his entire 2023 campaign wiped out by injury. |
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Josh Downs Josh Downs Three grabs in Week 18
Wed, Jan 10, 2024, 9:17 AM
Downs caught all three of his targets for 48 yards in Saturday's 23-19 loss to the Texans.
Analysis: Downs paced the Colts in receiving yards in the season finale, wrapping up his rookie campaign with 68 catches for 771 yards and two touchdowns on 98 targets. His steady involvement in the passing attack down the stretch should bode well for Downs as he continues to grow into his role within the Indianapolis offense heading into Year 2. Quarterback Anthony Richardson (shoulder) should return to full health for the 2024 season, which could bolster the outlooks for Downs and the Colts' other passing-game weapons. |
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Alec Pierce Alec Pierce Held catchless in season finale
Wed, Jan 10, 2024, 9:06 AM
Pierce went without a reception on four targets in Saturday's 23-19 loss to the Texans.
Analysis: Pierce was held without a catch for the second time this season in what has been an underwhelming campaign for the 23-year-old. In 17 games, the second-year wideout finished the season with 32 receptions for 514 yards and two touchdowns. Pierce remains under contract with the Colts through the 2025 season, so the speedster will look to continue to improve and grow in his role within the passing attack. The return of Anthony Richardson (shoulder) at quarterback in 2024 should help to make the offense more dynamic, boosting Pierce's big-play potential. |
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