Colts HC Frank Reich said Tuesday that G Quenton Nelson has the same foot injury as QB Carson Wentz, according to multiple reports. He's having surgery immediately and faces the same return window (5-12 weeks) as Wentz. That's bad news for Jonathan Taylor and everyone else who lines up in the Indy backfield. We'll see exactly how long Nelson (and Wentz) remains out.
Colts RB Jonathan Taylor has been an "active and able receiver" in training camp so far, catching a team-leading 6 passes in 11-on-11 work, according to The Indy Star's Joel Erickson. Target volume is the biggest question for Taylor heading into 2021. Even during his 6-game hot stretch to close last season, he averaged just 2.7 targets and 2 catches per game. RB Nyheim Hines returns after leading all RBs in Pro Football Focus receiving grade last year, so it's possible that Taylor's role in the passing game doesn't grow. It's at least encouraging to hear that he's been busy as a receiver in camp. We'll see if that carries over into the preseason.
The Athletic's believes 49ers RB Trey Sermon might play a role similar to the one Tevin Coleman played back in 2019. "The 49ers liked to begin games with Tevin Coleman at tailback, which both tenderized the defense and kept the 49ers’ home-run hitter, Raheem Mostert, fresh." That season, Coleman out-carried Mostert 137 to 112 in their 14 games together. Such a split would be a win for Sermon in his rookie season. The takeaway here, though, is that it'll be a committee attack in San Francisco's backfield this year.
Colts TE Kylen Granson got work with the 1st-team offense in Wednesday's training-camp practice. In fact, he caught a team-high 3 passes from QB Carson Wentz. "Granson may be more involved than I initially thought," Sports Illustrated's Jake Arthur writes. "He was very much in the mix throughout practice and is the clearest choice for the Colts' athletic 'Y' tight end." It's rare for a TE to make a fantasy impact as a rookie. But Granson might be an exception. The Colts absolutely love him, HC Frank Reich's offense tends to target the TE at an above-average rate, and TEs Mo Alie-Cox and Jack Doyle aren't exactly stiff competition. Keep an eye on Granson over the next month.
The Athletic's Stephen Holder predicts that Michael Pittman will become the Colts' #1 WR this season. "If he wants to become the Colts’ go-to wide receiver, the opportunity is there," Holder writes. "And I happen to think he’s very much up to the task." Pittman didn't stuff the stat sheet as a rookie. But his development was stunted in September by a significant calf injury. He returned to play 72+% of the Colts' offensive snaps in each of the final 10 games -- and went for 90 yards in the playoff loss in Buffalo. With T.Y. Hilton past his prime and Parris Campbell's already lengthy injury history, Pittman certainly has a chance to lead this team in targets. We like him as an upside pick at his 8th- or 9th-round price tag.
49ers RB Trey Sermon has "made a strong first impression, particularly as a pass-catcher out of the backfield," according to ESPN's Nick Wagoner. Sermon soaked up 1st-team reps in minicamp with RBs Jeff Wilson and Raheem Mostert sidelined with knee issues. The pass-catching comment is particularly noteworthy since Sermon arrives to the NFL with a modest 48 receptions across 4 college seasons. We'll be keeping a close eye on this 49ers backfield in training camp and preseason. Sermon has been leaving the board in the 6th round of recent FFPC best-ball drafts.
Colts WRs Michael Pittman (toe) and Zach Pascal (ankle) are questionable for this weekend’s game against the Vikings. Pittman was limited in practice all week, while Pascal got in a full practice on Friday. Neither guy is a fantasy option, but their absences would mean more targets for WRs T.Y. Hilton and Parris Campbell.
Colts DE Justin Houston (calf) and S Malik Hooker (knee) are active for today's game against the Steelers. Each guy turned up questionable but is available for normal usage. Houston looks less attractive for IDP lineups than usual with the calf issue and strong Pittsburgh pass protection.
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