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Daniel Jones Daniel Jones Colts plan to re-sign pending UFA
Thu, Jan 8, 2026, 2:33 PM
Colts GM Chris Ballard said in his season-ending news conference Thursday that the team intends to re-sign Jones (Achilles), who will be a free agent this offseason, Stephen Holder of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: "I think Daniel Jones has got a really bright future here in Indianapolis," Ballard said, adding that the team views Jones as an option in both the short- and long-term. The Colts were on pace to set multiple franchise records on offense in the first half of the season while Jones was healthy, but Jones was slowed by a fibula injury for a few weeks before tearing his Achilles in Week 14 against the Jaguars. The Colts ultimately finished 8-9 after starting 8-2. There had been rumblings of extension negotiations between Jones and the Colts prior to his injury. Jones' injury will have an impact on those negotiations, but there remains mutual interest in Jones rejoining a quarterback room that's set to include 2023 first-round pick Anthony Richardson (eye) and 2025 sixth-round pick Riley Leonard in 2026. |
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DJ Giddens DJ Giddens Concludes quiet rookie season
Wed, Jan 7, 2026, 11:12 AM
Giddens rushed eight times for 30 yards in Sunday's 38-30 loss to the Texans. He finished the season with 26 rushes for 96 yards in nine appearances.
Analysis: Giddens's eight carries Sunday were his most in a contest since Week 1. The rookie running back barely saw the field in his first season in the NFL, as he was buried on the depth chart behind Jonathan Taylor, Ameer Abdullah and Tyler Goodson. Taylor handled the vast majority of the work out of the backfield, leaving very few opportunities for the backups in Indianapolis. The 25-year-old Goodson should continue to improve and get acclimated to the Colts' offense heading into his second season, and it's possible he could take on a bigger role as a backup behind Taylor with Abdullah and Goodson entering free agency this offseason. |
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Tyler Goodson Tyler Goodson One carry in season finale
Wed, Jan 7, 2026, 11:02 AM
Goodson rushed once for three yards in Sunday's 38-30 loss to the Texans. He finished the season with nine rushes for 24 yards, adding two receptions for eight yards on three targets in 11 appearances.
Analysis: Goodson was a nonfactor this season, barely seeing the field on offense. The 25-year-old running back played well behind Jonathan Taylor and Ameer Abdullah in the Colts' backfield rotation throughout the 2025 campaign. With that said, Goodson will enter the offseason as a restricted free agent, giving Indianapolis the opportunity to match any offers he may receive from other teams in free agency. Based on his limited usage, it remains unclear if the Colts will try to keep him in their locker room or afford him the opportunity to catch on with another team ahead of next season. |
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Ameer Abdullah Ameer Abdullah Three touches to conclude season
Wed, Jan 7, 2026, 10:31 AM
Abdullah rushed once for one yard and caught both of his targets for 24 yards in Sunday's 38-30 loss to the Texans. He finished the season with 14 rushes for 60 yards and one touchdown, adding 16 receptions for 99 yards on 17 targets in 13 appearances.
Analysis: Abdullah finished the 2025 campaign having very little impact offensively, a theme for the veteran running back for most of the season. The 32-year-old operated as one of the Colts' top backup options out of the backfield, but he was unable to get much going each week with starter Jonathan Taylor handling a large majority of the work at running back. Abdullah will enter the offseason as an unrestricted free agent, but his age and lack of impressive production may make it difficult to garner much interest from teams around the league. |
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Mo Alie-Cox Mo Alie-Cox Stays involved in season finale
Tue, Jan 6, 2026, 10:25 AM
Alie-Cox secured three of four targets for 22 yards during Sunday's 38-30 season-finale loss to Houston.
Analysis: Alie-Cox didn't log a single appearance with more than one catch across the first 14 games of the 2025 campaign, but he compiled two, three and three catches in Indianapolis' final three contests, with one touchdown in that span. He wraps the season with a 13-117-1 receiving line on 20 targets, while having suited up for all 17 regular-season games and handling a depth role behind rookie standout Tyler Warren. Alie-Cox, who has spent all eight seasons of his NFL career so far with the Colts, will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason. |
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Ashton Dulin Ashton Dulin Held without a catch in finale
Tue, Jan 6, 2026, 10:21 AM
Dulin could not secure either of his two targets during Sunday's 38-30 season-finale loss to Houston.
Analysis: Dulin suited up for 12 regular-season appearances with the Colts in 2025, during which span he secured five of 10 targets for 106 receiving yards and logged three carries for 44 rushing yards. He also compiled a career-high 516 yards as a kick returner. He has one more year on his contract with Indianapolis, though the team has a potential "out" this offseason for only $670,000 in dead cap. |
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Sean McKeon Sean McKeon Inks deal with Colts
Mon, Jan 5, 2026, 1:53 PM
The Colts signed McKeon to a reserve/future contract Monday.
Analysis: McKeon was elevated to the Colts' active roster in Week 18, where he played seven snaps on offense and eight on special teams, but the 28-year-old did not obtain any stats. McKeon will have the opportunity to participate in the Colts' offseason activities and attempt to earn a spot on their active roster next season. |
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Josh Downs Josh Downs Four catches in defeat
Sun, Jan 4, 2026, 10:16 PM
Downs caught all four of his targets for 61 yards in Sunday's 38-30 loss to Houston.
Analysis: Downs was able to secure multiple passes for the seventh straight game while his 61 receiving yards were his second-highest total over that stretch. The wide receiver has now completed his third campaign in Indianapolis having caught 58 of 88 targets for 566 yards and four touchdowns while also adding one carry for three yards and 68 yards on punt returns over 16 regular-season contests. Downs will enter the offseason on the final year of his rookie contract. |
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Michael Pittman Michael Pittman Two catches in season finale
Sun, Jan 4, 2026, 10:06 PM
Pittman caught two of four targets for 11 yards in Sunday's 38-30 loss to the Texans.
Analysis: Pittman was limited to two catches for the second straight week, and he finished with fewer than 40 receiving yards for the fourth game in a row to end the season. The wide receiver was able to reel in 80 of 111 targets for 784 yards and a career-high seven touchdowns over 17 regular-season contests, but he ended the year having gone without a score in the final six contests. With Alec Pierce set to enter the offseason as a free agent, Pittman may enter next season as the Colts' undisputed No. 1 wideout. |
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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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