Indianapolis

Colts

Mitchell now has two catches for 43 yards in two games since Anthony Richardson returned under center. Predictably, there isn’t enough pass-game volume in this offense for Mitchell to command consistent looks, while Alec Pierce is the featured option down the field. Mitchell doesn’t need to be rostered in 12-team leagues down the stretch.

Pierce also un-did a 30-yard Josh Downs reception with an offensive pass interference penalty. Unlike most weeks, the Colts were actually targeting Pierce early. That included Anthony Richardson missing Pierce on a potential 88-yard score in the first quarter. Brutal. Perennially lacking volume with upside difficult to come by with Richardson’s scattershot play, Pierce is merely a WR5 for Week 13 despite a plus Patriots matchup.

Facing a vulnerable Lions secondary, Pittman had his second most productive day of the season. No easy feat since Anthony Richardson, as usual, completed only 11 passes. Pittman also checked out with a shoulder injury, but ended up missing very little time despite a “questionable” designation. Although he played through the issue Sunday, it is something to monitor heading into Week 13 against the Patriots, especially since the Colts have a Week 14 bye for some reason. The adrenaline is going to wear off, and Pittman is so banged up.

Taylor was not targeted in the passing game for the first time since Week 1, and now has one catch for three yards in two games since Anthony Richardson’s return. This afternoon was also his second straight rushing dud with Richardson back in the fold, though today’s came on 13 fewer carries. Taylor got out-gained 61-35 by Richardson on the ground. Instead of Richardson opening up rushing lanes for his running back, the negative case seems to be coming to fruition, with Richardson stalling drives and making the Colts’ offense too predictable. It’s conspiring to make Taylor more of an RB2 than RB1, though the Patriots are a tantalizing Week 13 matchup, one much better than the Lions.

It was an eventful, unfortunate day for Downs, who — unfathomably — lost three catches for 58 yards to penalty. On one of the grabs he did convert, he suffered a third quarter shoulder injury. He was announced as questionable but managed to return the following drive. He did appear to be in some considerable sideline discomfort. We will see how he is doing once the adrenaline wears off. Downs came out of Anthony Richardson’s Week 11 return with a useful fantasy effort, but today reminds this is going to remain a rollercoaster experience. Provided he’s healthy, Downs will be a risk/reward WR3 for Week 13 against the Patriots’ soft defense. With all 32 teams playing, Downs doesn’t really have a WR2 case.

Richardson came out scorching, throwing some nice passes on the Colts’ opening series as he added three rushes for 35 yards. Indy settled for a field goal, however, and continued to regress from that point on. That included Richardson, who had his third scoreless outing in seven tries this year. (A horrid Alec Ogletree end zone drop did have something to do with that.) The 61 yards rushing were a new season high, but the 39.3 completion percentage was a new season low. Richardson actually had fewer laughable passing misses than he did in Week 11, but the general inaccuracy was simply too much. Once again, some of his biggest completions required dives from his pass catchers. Richardson is dangerous with the ball in his hands, but that is too easy for opposing defenses to take away when he is not threatening through the air. The Patriots are at least a much softer Week 13 matchup than Detroit.

Raimann still has not practiced since injuring his knee in practice a couple Wednesdays ago. His Week 13 status is probably up in the air at this point. The rest of this list is the usual inactives for Indianapolis, with three repeats and third quarterback Ehlinger joining Land — who had played in 10 of 11 games so far for the Colts this year despite just one tackle.

Lewis will make his first appearance since injuring his elbow in Week 4 against the Steelers. His addition should be a boon for a Colts front seven that has struggled to pressure the passer in recent weeks. The Colts declared QB Sam Ehlinger, WR Anthony Gould, S Darren Hall, DE Isaiah Land, TE Will Mallory, and LT Bernhard Raimann inactive against the Lions.

Downs was a surprise addition to the injury report on Thursday, but the team listed him as a full participant. He was a full-go in practice again on Friday before being removed from the report entirely. Downs has cemented himself as the Colts’ No. 1 receiver and even Anthony Richardson’s accuracy issues can’t stop his march toward a WR2 finish in his second season.

Rookie Matt Gonclaves will draw the start. He has spent the better part of the past three weeks at left tackle because of Raimann’s multiple injury woes. Per Pro Football Focus, Gonclaves has allowed seven pressures and three sacks on 103 pass-blocking reps this season.