Michael Pittman Jr. Anticipated To Play In Week 3
7 months agoIndianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (back, calf) is expected to play in Sunday's game against the Bears. The wideout didn't practice on Friday and currently holds a questionable tag. However, all signs are pointing toward his availability for Week 3. Pittman has gotten off to a slow start this season, catching seven of his 15 targets for 52 yards in the Colts' first two contests. Without question, his ceiling is higher than most. Still, his outlook versus Chicago isn't as promising, considering the injuries could limit his abilities on the field. Although fantasy managers can keep Pittman in the starting lineup, nobody can blame anyone for playing it safe by keeping him on the bench.Source: Adam Schefter
Adonai Mitchell A Risky Start In Week 3
7 months agoIndianapolis Colts rookie wide receiver Adonai Mitchell grabbed just one of his four targets for 30 yards in the team's Week 2 loss. Now he and the Colts gear up to host the Chicago Bears in a Week 3 matchup on Sunday. Despite not stuffing the stat sheet, Mitchell has racked up nine targets in his first two games, nearly connecting with QB Anthony Richardson on multiple deep passes. Despite the favorable usage, the Colts will welcome back WR Josh Downs (ankle) back into the rotation, and it's unclear how affected Mitchell's snap share from the first two weeks will be. On top of that, Chicago has done a decent job of quieting down receivers, allowing the 12th-least fantasy points to the position. Fantasy managers might want to keep Mitchell on the bench in Week 3, waiting to see how the playing time splits up between the receivers now that Downs is making his season debut.Source: RotoBaller
Alec Pierce A Boom Or Bust Option In Week 3
7 months agoIndianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce held up his hot start to the season in Week 2 when he caught five catches for 56 yards and another touchdown. Pierce has been a mainstay in the Colts offense so far and has been on the receiving end from multiple deep shot passes from QB Anthony Richardson. He now gears up for a home matchup against the Chicago Bears, a team that's allowed the 12th-least fantasy points to the position. While Chicago's No. 1 piece in the secondary in Jaylon Johnson will likely be more focused on Michael Pittman Jr., it does open up the opportunity for Pierce to produce. That being said, he doesn't provide an incredibly safe floor with the limited passing volume by this Colts offense. Combining all that, fantasy managers in deeper leagues can look to Pierce as a boom-or-bust FLEX option in Week 3, hoping he can catch a few deep passes from Richardson.Source: RotoBaller
Jonathan Taylor A Strong Start In Week 3
7 months agoIndianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor is coming off an incredibly productive Week 2 showing, running the ball 12 times for 103 yards. He also grabbed two of his four targets for another 32 yards in the air. He now gets ready for a Week 3 home matchup against the Chicago Bears. The Bears have been in the middle of the pack defending the run this season, allowing the 15th least fantasy points to RBs. Despite the average matchup, Taylor can make up for that with his high-end volume. Taylor has seen an 88.9% opportunity share this season, the fourth most amongst all backs. With all that in mind, Taylor is a strong start again in Week 3, and managers in all formats can target him as an RB1.Source: RotoBaller
Anthony Richardson A QB1 Hopeful In Week 3
7 months agoIndianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson is coming off of a weak Week 2 showing, throwing for just 204 yards, one touchdown, and totaling three interceptions. He also ran the ball four times for 37 yards on the ground. He now gears up for a matchup with the Chicago Bears, a team allowing the sixth-least fantasy points to opposing QBs this season. While on paper the matchup isn't great, Richardson and the Colts' offense is expecting WR Josh Downs (ankle) back in action, a key piece for them in the receiving game last season. As always, Richardson's rushing upside makes him an elite fantasy quarterback week in and week out, and this week isn't the exception. While Richardson doesn't provide as safe of a floor as some of the other top-tier QB options with his low passing volume, he still makes for a strong start in all formats in Week 3.Source: RotoBaller
Matt Gay Cleared For Week 3
7 months agoIndianapolis Colts kicker Matt Gay (quadriceps) has been removed from the final injury report on Friday and will kick in Week 3 at Lucas Oil Stadium against the visiting Chicago Bears. Gay missed the season-opening loss to the division-rival Houston Texans after having sports-hernia surgery but returned in last week's loss to the Green Bay Packers. The 30-year-old made his only extra-point try while going 1-for-2 on his field-goal attempts at Lambeau Field. Gay missed practice on Wednesday due to a new quad injury but practiced in full on both Thursday and Friday, assuring he will play on Sunday. Going up against a stout Bears defense and potentially without their top receiver in Michael Pittman Jr. (back, calf), Gay isn't a recommended fantasy streamer for Week 3.Source: 107.5 The Fan - Kevin Bowen
Michael Pittman Jr. Listed As Questionable For Sunday
7 months agoIndianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (back) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game, according to Kevin Bowen of 1075 The Fan. The wideout did not show any signs of an injury earlier in the week but appeared on Friday's injury report with a back injury. Pittman did not practice. This is not a good sign for the 26-year-old, as his status for Sunday's game is now in danger. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to any news regarding the USC product's status over the weekend. Pittman has had a slow start to the 2024 season, catching only seven passes across the first two weeks for a mere 52 yards. If Pittman does not suit up, fantasy managers should expect Josh Downs (who is making his 2024 debut) to see an increase in work on Sunday, as well as Alec Pierce and rookie Adonai Mitchell.Source: Kevin Bowen
Josh Downs To Make 2024 Debut On Sunday
7 months agoIndianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (ankle) was a full participant during Friday's practice and did not carry an injury designation for Sunday's game. The sophomore wideout was a full participant in practice all week and is set to make his 2024 debut against the Chicago Bears on Sunday afternoon. Downs was sidelined during the first two weeks of the campaign due to a high-ankle sprain he suffered in August. Last season, Downs enjoyed a solid rookie campaign where he caught 68 passes for 771 yards and two scores. Fantasy managers should expect Downs to be one of the top three options in a crowded wide receiver room comprising Michael Pittman Jr., Alec Pierce, and rookie Adonai Mitchell.Source: Kevin Bowen
Michael Pittman Jr. Dealing With Multiple Injuries
7 months agoIndianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (back, calf) is dealing with back and calf injuries, but the Colts don't think he's in danger of missing the Week 3 contest against the Chicago Bears. Pittman wasn't listed on the Week 3 injury report on Wednesday or Thursday, but it sounds like he could pop up on Friday's final report. Fantasy managers will want to check back on Pittman's status. There's a chance he could be considered questionable, but as of right now, it sounds like the Colts plan on having him available. Josh Downs, who suffered a high-ankle sprain in August, has practiced in full all week and is on track to make his 2024 debut this Sunday, which will give Indy some more receiving insurance if Pittman isn't 100%. Pittman's fantasy stock has fallen after catching seven passes for 52 scoreless yards through two weeks in 2024.Source: Indianapolis Star - Joel A. Erickson
Matt Gay Returns To Full Practice On Thursday
7 months agoIndianapolis Colts kicker Matt Gay (quadriceps) did not take part in the first practice of the week on Wednesday, but he's now on track to play in Week 3 versus the Chicago Bears on Sunday after returning to a full practice participant on Thursday. Gay had surgery for a sports hernia right before the start of the regular season and was unable to kick in the Week 1 loss to the division-rival Houston Texans. He returned for the Week 2 loss to the Green Bay Packers, though, making one of his two field-goal tries and converting his only extra-point attempt. Barring a setback with his quad muscle, the 30-year-old veteran should be active this weekend against a strong Bears defense. The Bears defense has actually been a top-12 fantasy matchup for opposing kickers through two weeks, but after Indy's offense was shut down in Green Bay last week, fantasy managers should be looking to avoid a banged-up Gay.Source: Indianapolis Colts
Josh Downs Continues To Practice In Full
7
months
agoIndianapolis
Colts
wide
receiver
Josh
Downs
(ankle)
said
earlier
this
week
that
he
expects
to
make
his
2024
season
debut
this
Sunday
in
Week
3
at
Lucas
Oil
Stadium
against
the
visiting
Chicago
Bears.
Downs
put
in
a
second
straight
day
of
fullread more...
Josh Downs Practices Wednesday
7 months agoIndianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (ankle) was a full participant in practice on Wednesday. Downs had yet to take the field this season due to the injury. After previously stating that he plans to play in Week 3, Downs' official practice participation suggests that that is true. Downs is a talented young receiver for an offense that is growing together. He recorded 68 receptions for 771 yards and two touchdowns in 2023. Downs is not someone you should start in Week 3 but he is worth a stash if you have space on your bench. Either way, he should substantially help quarterback Anthony Richardson as a short-yardage target.Source: NFL.com
Josh Downs Says He Plans To Play In Week 3
7
months
agoIndianapolis
Colts
wide
receiver
Josh
Downs
(ankle)
said
he
plans
to
make
his
season
debut
in
Week
3
at
home
at
Lucas
Oil
Stadium
this
Sunday
against
the
visiting
Chicago
Bears.
Downs
suffered
a
right
high-ankle
sprain
at
training
camp
in
August
andread more...
Colts Place DeForest Buckner On Injured Reserve
7 months agoThe Indianapolis Colts placed standout defensive tackle DeForest Buckner (ankle) on Injured Reserve on Tuesday. Buckner was injured in Week 2 against the Packers and will now have to sit out at least four games. Buckner has been a game-wrecker for a Colts defense lacking high-end playmakers. He already recorded 1.5 sacks in Week 1 against the Texans. He only had one tackle prior to his exit from the Packers game. The loss of Buckner hurts both the Colts' offense and defense. Buckner's ability to disrupt the backfield of opposing teams helps give the Colts' offense shorter fields to work with. The Colts will certainly hope to have Buckner back sooner rather than later.Source: Ari Meirov
DeForest Buckner Expected To Be A Long Shot For Week 3
7 months agoIndianapolis Colts defensive lineman DeForest Buckner (ankle), who has been one of the league's most durable players, suffered an ankle sprain in the Week 2 loss to the Green Bay Packers that is expected to make him a long shot to suit up in Week 3 versus the Chicago Bears, according to sources. X-rays were negative on Buckner, and he's set to undergo an MRI exam. The belief is that the sprain isn't severe, but fantasy managers with Buckner in IDP formats shouldn't count on having him for at least this week. The 30-year-old pass-rusher had to be carted to the locker room at Lambeau Field on Sunday and could end up missing more than just one game. Indy's pass rush will be at less than full strength for however long the three-time Pro Bowler is sidelined. Buckner has seven total tackles and 1.5 sacks through the first two weeks of the 2024 season.Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport