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Game day update: The Colts’ running game is getting back an integral part of their scheme with the return of Jonathan Taylor. Taylor missed last week’s game as he was on the COVID-19/reserve list. Indy is hoping that the rookie running back picks up where he left off in Week 11, where he had 90 rushing yards. If Taylor is picking up yards on the ground, we could see Nyheim Hines’s usage drop off.
Taylor has a chance to duplicate that performance against the Houston Texans, who are giving up 14 touchdowns and 25.6 fantasy points a game to opposing running backs this season. ESPN projects Taylor, Nyheim to score 11.1 and 8.2 fantasy points, respectively.
Just when it looked like we might be getting some clarity on the Colts’ backfield situation, the team switched things up last week and brought in quarterback Jacoby Brissett for some goal line work. The one thing that might help in fantasy football this week is the return of Jonathan Taylor from the COVID/reserve list. Let’s try to make sense of Indianapolis’ backfield for their Week 13 game against Houston.
Fantasy Football analysis: Colts RBs Jonathan Taylor, Nyheim Hines
Taylor looked every bit like a No. 1 running back in Week 11. He monopolized rushing attempts with 22, rolling up 90 yards in the process. Nyheim Hines had just six carries in that contest.
Last week, without Taylor, Hines had 10 carries, splitting work with Jordan Wilkins.
Houston has one of the worst run defenses in the league, and the Texans have given up 14 rushing touchdowns to running backs this season. I’d feel good about Taylor as a RB2 option this week, understanding that Brissett will likely vulture some goal-line scoring attempts. Leave Hines out of your lineup.
Fantasy Start/Sit Recommendation
Start Jonathan Taylor. Sit Nyheim Hines.