The Indianapolis Colts enter their Sunday night matchup with a short injury list that preserves their core fantasy options. Wide receiver Ashton Dulin is out with an ankle injury, while reserve running back DJ Giddens is questionable with a knee issue. All offensive starters avoided a designation.
Dulin did not participate all week. Giddens appeared on the report Thursday as a nonparticipant but returned for a full Friday session, giving him a chance to dress. Alec Pierce also missed Thursday with a heel issue before practicing fully Friday and receiving no designation.
Keenan Allen received early-week rest before practicing fully Friday. Quarterback Anthony Richardson also practiced fully Thursday and Friday after missing Wednesday with a groin injury. Daniel Jones, Jonathan Taylor and the primary receivers are available.
Final practice report for #INDvsKC. pic.twitter.com/4NP4tKhGD8
â Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) September 18, 2026
Daniel Jones remains a risky fantasy starter
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Jonesâ health is not the problem entering Week 2, but his opening performance makes him difficult to trust. In his return from a torn Achilles, Jones completed 19 of 31 passes for 166 yards, one touchdown and one interception in a 41-23 loss. He added only four rushing yards, limiting his former rushing floor.
DulinâÂÂs absence should not change Jonesâ projection. Dulin played 10 offensive snaps in Week 1 and did not record a target. His absence removes a situational vertical threat.
PierceâÂÂs clearance matters more. He led Indianapolis with 61 receiving yards on four catches in the opener, giving Jones needed explosiveness. With Pierce, Allen, Josh Downs and Tyler Warren healthy, Jones has enough weapons for a pass-heavy script.
Still, Jones belongs in the QB2 range rather than one-quarterback lineups. His 5.4 yards per attempt, limited rushing usage and modest touchdown outlook create a low ceiling. Superflex managers can start him, but conventional formats offer safer alternatives.
Jonathan Taylor remains an elite weekly RB1
Giddensâ questionable designation does nothing to threaten TaylorâÂÂs workload. He was inactive in Week 1 as Taylor handled 19 of Indianapolisâ 20 rushing attempts. Taylor produced 98 yards and two scores, plus three catches for 23 yards.
Jonathan Taylor opens up the scoring for the Colts and does his dance ðº
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Those 22 touches confirm TaylorâÂÂs foundational role. If Giddens remains out, Seth McGowan should remain the backup, but he did not receive a carry in the opener. Taylor should again dominate every situation.
Fantasy managers must start Taylor as an elite weekly RB1. Receiving work protects him if Indianapolis trails, while his red-zone role offers touchdown upside. Giddens has no standalone fantasy value even if active.
Colts pass catchers keep their roles
DulinâÂÂs absence may create extra snaps for Laquon Treadwell, but it should concentrate targets among Indianapolisâ regulars. Allen caught all six of his targets for 32 yards in Week 1, giving him a useful PPR floor even though his average reception produced only 5.3 yards.
Pierce offers the highest big-play ceiling and is a volatile flex. Downs caught two passes for 37 yards on four targets but led Colts receivers in snaps and route participation, suggesting improvement could follow. Warren caught three passes for 13 yards and scored Jonesâ only touchdown, keeping him in TE1 consideration.
Allen is the safest PPR play, Pierce carries the best vertical upside and Downs remains a reasonable flex option. Warren is startable in most leagues because of his touchdown role.
The final report is highly favorable for fantasy managers. DulinâÂÂs absence removes depth rather than volume, and Giddensâ status only reinforces TaylorâÂÂs dominance. Jones remains matchup-dependent, but Indianapolisâ principal pass catchers are healthy enough to fully preserve their expected roles under the Sunday night spotlight.