Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (14) runs downfield after a catch Thursday
Image Credit: Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The Indianapolis Colts enter Sunday's Week 1 game against the Baltimore Ravens with their offensive core available. That helps fantasy managers relying on Jonathan Taylor, Tyler Warren or Josh Downs, although Alec Pierce's heel injury creates uncertainty.
Linebacker Austin Ajiake is the only Colts player ruled out. Ajiake injured his hamstring late in the week, missed Friday and was downgraded from questionable Saturday. Indianapolis then elevated rookie cornerback Kenneth Harris.
Ajiake was expected to handle a special-teams-heavy role rather than start on defense. His absence has little direct impact on standard fantasy lineups.
Pierce is the offensive player fantasy managers must evaluate most carefully. He was limited Wednesday, Thursday and Friday by a heel injury, but the Colts gave him no game designation. Head coach Shane Steichen said Pierce looked fresh and good during his return to practice.
Alec Pierce carries workload risk
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (14) leaves the field after losing a game against the San Francisco 49ers at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Mandatory Credit: Christine Tannous-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images
Pierce is available, but availability does not guarantee his normal snap count. He began training camp on the physically unable to perform list and was activated August 27, giving him a relatively short runway to prepare for Week 1.
Steichen declined to guarantee a specific workload, saying the Colts would see how the game develops. That uncertainty makes Pierce difficult to trust as a fantasy starter, especially in traditional leagues with stronger healthy options. His deep speed creates touchdown upside, but reduced snaps lower his target ceiling.
Fantasy managers should consider Pierce a boom-or-bust WR4 rather than an automatic flex. FantasyPros places him in that range, while Fantasy Life recommends keeping him out of Week 1 lineups because of the possibility that he plays only a part-time role.
Pierce's uncertain workload could create additional opportunities for Josh Downs and Keenan Allen. Both avoided the report, and Downs offers the safer reception-based flex profile. Allen is also healthy but remains more appropriate as a WR3 until Indianapolis reveals how its targets will be distributed.
Jonathan Taylor remains a must-start
Article Continues Below
Taylor does not appear on the injury report and enters the opener as the undisputed lead back. Multiple outlets rank him as a top-five Week 1 back, making him a lineup lock.
The clean report also helps Taylor indirectly. Center Sedrick Van Pran-Granger progressed from limited participation Wednesday because of an illness to full practices Thursday and Friday. Tight end Drew Ogletree followed the same pattern with a neck injury, preserving Indianapolis' blocking depth.
Tyler Warren is another confident start. He avoided the final report after dealing with an offseason injury and is ranked as a TE1 for the opener. ESPN lists both Warren and Taylor as lineup locks, while other analysts view Warren as a must-start despite a challenging matchup.
Daniel Jones is a cautious start
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) participates in a drill on day two of training camp at Grand Park Sports Campus.
Robert Goddin-Imagn Images
Starting quarterback Daniel Jones is absent from the injury report after recovering from the Achilles injury that ended his 2025 season. He practiced without restrictions during the lead-up to the opener, but this will be his first regular-season game since surgery.
That makes Jones a risky option in one-quarterback leagues. His rushing upside remains valuable, but managers should see how comfortably he moves under pressure. He is better deployed as a QB2 in superflex formats than as a standard-league starter.
Ajiake's absence barely changes the fantasy equation. Taylor and Warren are must-starts, Downs and Allen are flex candidates, Jones is a cautious QB2 and Pierce belongs on the bench until his workload becomes clearer.