Team news: Indianapolis Colts

The Colts have released kicker Matt Gay, their kicker the last two seasons.

Related Players: Spencer Shrader

Shrader is next in line for kicking duties after this absolute bombshell.

From the NFL annual meeting here in Palm Beach:

Colts coach Shane Steichen says Daniel Jones and Anthony Richardson will split starting reps beginning in OTAs and the most consistent QB will be the regular season starter.

It's clear that the Colts are already looking to move on from Richardson, and that may have been apparent as early as last season. We're still holding out hope that the young dual-threat option will be a fantasy hit in 2025, but he's going to have to have a great Summer.

Former Vikings QB Daniel Jones is finalizing a one-year, $14 million deal with the Indianapolis Colts, per sources. Jones had a chance to return to Minnesota, but now becomes the challenger to the Colts’ former first-round pick Anthony Richardson.

Richardson seems to have one of the shortest leashes of any starting quarterback right now, so this is an intriguing landing spot for deeper Superflex leagues. Jones has his own bit of rushing upside, so he will be on streaming radars if ARich is forced to miss time for one reason or another.

Sam Darnold has agreed to terms with the Seahawks, per source.

The top free agent quarterback available, Darnold gets the three-year deal he sought and heads to Seattle after a career year in Minnesota.

Related Players: Sam Howell, J.J. McCarthy, Daniel Jones

Darnold gets a long(er)-term deal, but it's not the best situation fantasy-wise. With Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf out of the building, the veteran will see a downgrade both in offensive line and receiver talent from Minnesota. Looking ahead, the Seahawks will get a guy who is seven years younger, but it would be hard to argue that Geno Smith is less talented than the journeyman.

Vikings officially will not be tagging QB Sam Darnold, per sources.

Related Players: J.J. McCarthy, Nick Mullens, Daniel Jones

While this doesn't necessarily mean Darnold will not be playing in Minnesota, it does make McCarthy and even Jones more interesting at the time of this news. Potential teams Darnold could land on include the Raiders, Giants, and Jets, among others.

The Colts downgraded quarterback Anthony Richardson to out for Sunday’s game against the Giants with back and foot injuries.

It’s back to Joe Flacco as the Colts have been on a seesaw this season with their quarterbacks. The Colts are hoping to still have slim playoff hopes by the time they play Sunday but would be eliminated if both the Chargers and Broncos win Saturday. The offense as a whole takes a hit with Flacco, our QB25, under center. Proceed with caution on Josh Downs and Michael Pittman.

Colts HC Shane Steichen: QB Anthony Richardson (back/foot) questionable vs. Giants. 'We'll see how next 48 hours go.' Did not practice this week.

Related Players: Joe Flacco

So he's not officially out, but fantasy managers are going to need a backup plan. If Flacco goes, it gives a boost to the entire WR room, pushing Josh Downs and Michael Pittman Jr. up to WR3 consideration.

Sam Darnold has played well enough to leave the Vikings more open-minded about their 2025 plans than many realize, according to sources familiar with the Vikings' thinking. They have not ruled out offering him a contract for next season, despite widespread assumptions they will let him sign elsewhere in free agency and hand the job to J.J. McCarthy, who has spent his rookie season recovering from a torn meniscus in his right knee.

Related players: Daniel Jones

The story added the Vikings have also prepared to move on from Darnold, especially if he receives a more lucrative offer from another QB-needy team. Darnold agreed to wear a modified camera on his helmet during practices and walk-throughs to help McCarthy during his recovery process, the story said. McCarthy uses the video to simulate practice reps via virtual reality. The Vikings also signed Jones, who was released by the Giants, to their practice squad last month, a move widely viewed as an early look at a potential candidate to replace Darnold next season as the veteran alongside McCarthy.

osh Downs and Ryan Kelly going for a 3rd straight day.

Guys I haven’t spotted or don’t look to be practicing;

-Braden Smith
-Mo Alie-Cox
-Ashton Dulin

Related Players: Michael Pittman Jr., Alec Pierce, Adonai Mitchell

Pittman mustered all of 6.7 fantasy points in Downs' Week 13 absence, so his re-joining the lineup certainly doesn't boost his fantasy stock. Consider him and Downs stay-away WR4s as Anthony Richardson's troubling completion rate makes the passing attack an aggressive fade.

Lots of personnel news for the Colts...

*WR Josh Downs will practice today.

*C Ryan Kelly and LB Jaylon Carlies will be designated for return from IR today.

*RT Braden Smith is still dealing with a personal matter and is not expected to play at Denver on Sunday.

Related Players: Michael Pittman Jr., Alec Pierce, Adonai Mitchell

Pittman mustered all of 6.7 fantasy points in Downs' Week 13 absence, so his re-joining the lineup certainly doesn't boost his fantasy stock. Consider him and Downs stay-away WR4s as Anthony Richardson's troubling completion rate makes the passing attack an aggressive fade.