Phillip

Lindsay

Lindsay saw limited action this season, even with Johnathan Taylor sidelined for three games. The veteran running back appeared in three games for the Colts this season, rushing 15 times for 49 yards while also catching six passes for 19 additional yards. Struggling to find much room to run behind third-string running back Deon Jackson, a career resurgence in Indy just wasn’t in the cards for Lindsay. In a corresponding move, the Colts signed running back Jake Funk to the practice squad.

Lindsay and Jordan Wilkins will be part of the Colts’ Week 9 backfield with Jonathan Taylor (ankle) out. Deon Jackson is the favorite to lead Indy in touches, but that could change if Zack Moss, who the Colts traded for at the deadline, is active. Lindsay played over 30% of snaps in both games Taylor missed earlier this season.

Lindsay took a backseat to Deon Jackson, who caught a whopping ten balls for 79 yards and logged 12 carries for 42 yards. Lindsay is clearly the last-resort back for the Colts who would only be fantasy viable if Jackson (quad) misses time, along with Nyheim Hines (concussion) and Jonathan Taylor (ankle).

Jackson was unstoppable as the centerpiece of Indy’s offense before his exit, catching all ten of his targets for 79 yards and running for 42 yards and a touchdown. Jackson regularly bowled over Jaguars defenders and proved elusive after the catch as Matt Ryan’s main dump-off option in a pass-heavy game script. Phillip Lindsay will take over as the Colts’ top back with Jackson, Jonathan Taylor (ankle), and Nyheim Hines (concussion) down.

Lindsay was thoroughly out-snapped by Deon Jackson in Week 5 but still managed 15 total running back opportunities compared to 17 for Jackson. It is fair to expect a similar workload split against the Jaguars, who rank in the top-10 in most run-stopping metrics. Fantasy managers in an extreme pinch at running back can kick the tires on either Jackson or Lindsay, who should see the required workload to return RB3 numbers this week.

Taylor missed Week 5 with what has been described as a high-ankle sprain. Getting him back on the field before the injury heals could prove disastrous for the Colts if Taylor aggravates the ankle, but the team seems intent on doing just that. Nhyheim Hines (concussion) practiced Friday in a non-contact jersey. It’s unclear if he’ll play in Week 6 against the Jaguars. That would leave Phillip Lindsay and Deon Jackson as the only two healthy Colts backs headed into the divisional matchup. Lindsay would likely be the lead back in that situation. Neither guy would get a full workload, however.

Lindsay’s biggest play of the day came on a 15-yard run that he broke up the right sideline. Lindsay, like the Colts’ offense, was bottled up for most of the night, finding little room to run against a stout Broncos defense. Lindsay was elevated from the Colts’ practice squad ahead of Thursday’s game after Jonathan Taylor (ankle) was ruled out. He’ll presumably revert back to the practice squad and carries little to no fantasy relevance heading into Week 6.

This was a long-anticipated move after Jonathan Taylor (ankle) was ruled out for Thursday’s game against the Broncos. Lindsay gets a fun revenge game narrative against his former team but will be suiting up for a Colts team that ranks last in points per game (14.3). He has a chance to lead the Colts backfield in rush attempts this week, but Nyheim Hines could be in line for a bigger role in the passing game. Lindsay will be hard to trust this week but could be worth a speculative stash. Likely reverting back to the practice squad after tonight’s game, another team could sign him to its 53-man roster if he impresses on Thursday night.

The coach added Taylor is “not ready right now, but we’ll see if he’s ready to go Thursday night.” Reich also said the Colts do not believe the injury will be made worse by Taylor playing. Taylor added he plans to play, but “if you can’t go, you can’t go.” It sounds like his status will go down to the wire. If Taylor does not suit up, Nyheim Hines and Phillip Lindsay, currently on the practice squad, will likely form a low-upside committee.

Lindsay spent all offseason with the Colts and was re-signed to the team’s practice squad after being a final cut during training camp. With Taylor’s Week 5 status in question, Reich acknowledged that Lindsay would factor into the team’s game plan if Taylor is unable to go. Nyheim Hines would also see some additional work in Taylor’s absence, but Lindsay facing off against his former team on Thursday night would make for a fun primetime narrative. Lindsay played for both the Dolphins and Texans in 2021, rushing for 88-249-1 while averaging 2.8 YPC. He’d be tough to trust against a stout Broncos defense.