Indianapolis Colts star running back Jonathan Taylor suffered a minor right ankle injury during the team’s Week 4 loss to the Tennessee Titans. Given the short turnaround for Thursday Night Football this week, there is some concern over whether Taylor will be available against the Denver Broncos tomorrow night.
However, the All-Pro declared on Tuesday that he ‘definitely’ plans to suit up for the game.
“I definitely do plan to play, but if you can’t go you can’t go,” Taylor said to ESPN. “That’s why you have to get as much treatment as you can.”
Taylor sounds optimistic but it’s worth considering a waiver on backup Nyheim Hines if he’s available in your fantasy football league.
Nyheim Hines a Potential Week 5 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pick Up
Taylor is listed as the fifth running back in our Stokastic NFL Start/Sit Fantasy Football Rankings, but that’s contingent on the information that comes out from now until game time about the injury. In the meantime, perhaps it’s a good idea to stash back up Hines on your bench if you have an extra spot.
Hines made himself relevant for the first time all season after last week’s loss when he made a controversial comment about the Colts’ revolving door at quarterback ever since Andre Luck’s suprising retirement ahead of the 2019 season.
“Not an excuse, but every year we have a new quarterback,” Hines said, via Zak Keefer of TheAthletic.com. “So each year we have growing pains while we sit here and watch Tennessee, which has had [Ryan] Tannehill, what, my whole career? And each year we’re restarting and we have to turn the page.”
In Hines’ defense, he has been the Colts backup running back since the 2018 season and has played behind six starting quarterbacks (Luck, Jacoby Brissett, Brian Hoyer, Philip Rivers, Carson Wentz and now Matt Ryan).
It also doesn’t help that Hines has seen little to no production this season. He currently has just eight rushes for 11 yards and a touchdown. Hines has contributed some in the passing game, catching 17 of 19 targets for 113 yards through four weeks.
If Taylor is unable to go on Thursday night, Hines likely slots in around a RB2/flex option for Week 5, but there’s little use for him in fantasy football as long as Taylor stays healthy.
