Tag: Deon Jackson

Colts sign RB Trey Sermon, release RB Deon Jackson

The Colts elevated Trey Sermon from the practice squad and released Deon Jackson.

The Indianapolis Colts are signing running back Trey Sermon to the active roster from the practice squad and are releasing running back Deon Jackson, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

Jackson served as the starting running back in Week 1 but struggled mightily between the tackles. When Zack Moss returned in Week 2, he took every snap and carry out of the backfield.

Sermon was signed to the practice squad at the beginning of the week, and head coach Shane Steichen must feel comfortable enough to have him serve as the backup to Moss. It helps that Sermon worked with Steichen as a part of the Philadelphia Eagles in 2022.

It’s expected that Moss will continue to see the majority of the work in the backfield but considering the weather conditions set to hit Baltimore on Sunday, Sermon could find his way onto the field.

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Stock report from Colts’ 31-21 loss to Jaguars in Week 1

Here’s the stock report from the Colts’ loss in Week 1 to the Jaguars.

The Indianapolis Colts (0-1) kicked off the 2023 campaign with a 31-21 loss against the Jacksonville Jaguars (1-0) at Lucas Oil Stadium in Week 1.

While they fell short of pulling off an upset, the Colts showed plenty of fight and competitiveness until too many mistakes got in their way late in the fourth quarter.

When taking stock of a player’s performance, it’s best to be fluid. A player’s stock will fall and rise throughout the season so none of this is set in stone. However, it is important to take note of the narratives and storylines taking place as the campaign progresses.

A player’s stock can be impacted by factors such as their performance or the type of snaps they receive during the games.

Here’s a look at the stock report for the Colts following the Week 1 loss:

Studs and duds from Colts’ loss to Jaguars

Here are the studs and duds from the Colts’ loss in Week 1 to the Jaguars.

The Indianapolis Colts kicked off their season with a 31-21 loss to the division-rival Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.

Overall, it was a solid effort from the Colts, who hung tough for the majority of the game before a few mistakes in the fourth quarter led to the Jaguars sealing the win.

Here are some studs and duds from the game:

Colts downgrade RB Zack Moss to doubtful vs. Jaguars

Deon Jackson appears in line to start at running back for the Colts with Zack Moss doubtful to play.

Deon Jackson is likely to start at running back for the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars after Zack Moss was downgraded from questionable to doubtful Saturday.

Moss, 25, suffered a broken forearm early in training camp with the Colts and had surgery to repair the injury.

The Colts’ starting running back Jonathan Taylor is on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list after undergoing ankle surgery earlier this year. He’s also in the middle of a public dispute with the team that resulted in a trade request in July.

Jackson, 24, joined the Colts in 2021 as an undrafted free agent and made his first career start last year in a Week 6 game against the Jaguars. He found a lot of success in that matchup, finishing with 42 rushing yards, 79 receiving yards, and a 3-yard rushing touchdown.

He finished the 2022 season with 236 rushing yards and 2019 receiving yards.

If Moss is out of action, it’ll also open up room for fifth-round pick Evan Hull to see offensive snaps Sunday. The rookie finished preseason with 53 rushing yards and 17 receiving yards. Indianapolis also elevated Jake Funk from the practice squad.

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Fantasy Football: 10 sleeper running backs for 2023 NFL season

These ten running backs could prove to be great value in your fantasy football draft.

Football season has returned!

The 2023 NFL season will kick off tomorrow when the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs host the Detroit Lions on Thursday.

Before the regular season begins, fantasy football drafts will be wrapping up in the coming days and fantasy managers will all have the same question — who are the sleepers to target this year?

This week, we will be publishing sleepers at tight end, wide receiver, quarterback and running back for 2023. Today, we’re looking at RB.

Each player is listed in order of his average draft spot relative to his position. We consider a “sleeper” to be a player who we expect to outperform his ADP during the season.

Colts preparing to ride hot hand in Jonathan Taylor’s absence

Without Jonathan Taylor, the Colts are ready to ride the hot hand in the backfield.

As the first week of the season officially arrives for the Indianapolis Colts, they’ll be diving into Week 1 without the services of star running back Jonathan Taylor, who begins the campaign on the reserve/PUP list.

However long Taylor will be absent isn’t exactly clear, but the Colts are preparing to use everyone available until the next step in the process of that saga is taken.

Head coach Shane Steichen said Monday that the plan is to use a committee in Taylor’s absence.

“I think it’s running back by committee, I do,” Steichen told reporters. “With anything, whoever’s got the hot hand – let them ride a little bit and go with that. We’ll rotate those guys in, see where everyone is at and like I said, we’ll ride with the hot hand.”

This shouldn’t come as much of a surprise. The Colts are hardly the first team to implement a committee when the starter isn’t available. How that committee will be shaped is the question.

Entering Tuesday of the game week, the Colts currently have three running backs on the active. However, Zack Moss is still working his way back from the broken arm he suffered during training camp. That leaves just Deon Jackson and fifth-round pick Evan Hull as the available backs for Week 1 if Moss can’t play.

Steichen had somewhat of an update on Moss without revealing whether the back will be ready for the opener.

“Our training staff has done a heck of a job with him. Whether it’s on the treadmill or whatever it is, on the bike, getting his conditioning ready to go,” Steichen said. “Obviously, he hasn’t been in football out there with the guys running around but that’ll be a big process, which he’s been going through and then getting up to speed this week.”

The Colts did hold tryouts for a trio of running backs so there’s a chance they add some depth to the backfield in the event Moss can’t play Week 1. They also have Jake Funk and Jason Huntley on the practice squad.

With the first injury report of the season coming Wednesday, we’ll get a better idea of Moss’ status going into the opener. Regardless, we should expect a full-blown committee for however long Taylor is away from the field.

Report: Colts’ Deon Jackson expected to start Week 1

Deon Jackson may be getting the start in Week 1.

The Indianapolis Colts may be without their starting two running backs for Week 1, and there reportedly is an expectation for Deon Jackson to get the start.

With Jonathan Taylor on the PUP list for at least the first four weeks of the season and Zack Moss recovering from a broken arm, Jackson reportedly is expected to get the start during the opener, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 on Friday.

Wilson reported that while Moss is doing well in his recovery, he’s expected back closer to Week 2 or Week 3.

Jackson would certainly be the next man up in that scenario. He had a solid preseason leading the backfield and has shown the ability in the past to work on passing downs. It’s likely rookie Evan Hull also would mix a solid amount if Moss is inactive.

Head coach Shane Steichen did say Thursday that the Colts are hopeful Moss will be ready for the opener, but it seems to be up in the air entering the weekend.

“Yeah, I hope so. He’s trending in the right direction and hopefully he’ll be out there Week 1,” Steichen said.

The Colts will release their first official injury report of the season Wednesday so we likely won’t have a strong idea until then.

Instant analysis of Colts’ preseason win over Eagles

Here’s our instant analysis from the Colts’ preseason win over the Eagles.

The Indianapolis Colts wrapped their preseason Thursday night with a win over the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field.

The team scored on five of its 10 drives, creating 393 yards of total offense, 127 yards rushing on the ground, and a 42% third-down efficiency rate.

Behind the strength of their ground game and contributions from all three quarterbacks, the Colts secured a 27-13 win behind their scoring in all four quarters.

Here’s the instant analysis from the preseason Week 3 win:

Colts’ snap count analysis from preseason win over Bears

Taking a look at the snap counts from the Colts’ preseason win over the Bears.

The Indianapolis Colts defeated the Chicago Bears, 24-17, on Saturday night at Lucas Oil Stadium for their first preseason win.

The majority of starters were rested after some physical joint training camp practices with the Bears earlier in the week so we got a good look at the depth in all three phases of the game.

Here’s a look at the snap counts on offense, defense and special teams:

Total plays

Offense: 67
Defense: 66
Special Teams: 23

Offensive tackle Dan Skipper was the only player to see 100% of the snaps on either side of the ball while fellow offensive lineman Carter O’Donnell was right behind him at 96%. In the backfield, Deon Jackson got the start, and Evan Hull worked in as well.

Rookie tight end Will Mallory made his preseason debut, playing just one fewer snap than the leader among tight ends, Nick Eubanks. Meanwhile, guard Emil Ekiyor didn’t see a single snap on offense.

Safety Nick Cross got the start and played well into the third quarter on defense. We still haven’t seen Julian Blackmon make his preseason debut.

Despite joining the team the day prior, wide receiver James Washington played 20 snaps on offense. His lone 43-yard reception led the entire team in receiving yards.

Stock up, Stock down from Colts’ preseason loss to Bills

Here’s the stock report from the Colts’ preseason loss against the Bills.

The Indianapolis Colts officially began the preseason with a 23-19 loss Saturday against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.

We got to see the starters take the field for the first quarter while the second and third teams got the majority of the work during the final three quarters of the game.

When taking stock of a player’s performance, it’s best to be fluid. A player’s stock will fall and rise throughout the preseason so none of this is set in stone. But it is important to take note of the narratives and storylines taking place as the regular season quickly approaches.

A player’s stock can be impacted by their performance or the type of snaps they receive during the preseason.

Here’s a look at the stock watch for the Colts following the preseason opener: