The Indianapolis Colts could definitely use a strong performance on Thursday Night Football against the Denver Broncos this week after coming up short at home against the Tennessee Titans in Week 4. Unfortunately, they’re now without their best offensive weapon.
On Wednesday afternoon, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that running back Jonathan Taylor has officially been ruled out after suffering an ankle injury on Sunday.
Given the news, many fantasy football owners are wondering whether or not it’s a safe play to plug in backup Nyheim Hines.
Nyheim Hines Fantasy Football Ranking & Analysis
Coming into the Thursday Night Football matchup, Taylor was ranked as the fifth running back in our Stokastic NFL Start/Sit Fantasy Football Rankings. Though Hines was not nearly as high, he most definitely slots into your lineup as he’ll now be the bell-cow back for the Colts.
So far this season, Hines has rushed eight times for 11 yards but has 17 receptions for 113 yards. He made headlines last week when being critical of the Colts’ revolving door at quarterback over the past five years.
“Not an excuse, but every year we have a new quarterback,” Hines said, via Zak Keefer of The Athletic. “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.”
After facing plenty of backlash over his comments, Hines will have a prime opportunity to get back in the good graces of his organization with a strong performance in Taylor’s absence.
The Colts also have second-year pro Deon Jackson at their disposal without Taylor available.
