The last time the Tennessee Titans played, a primetime victory over the Miami Dolphins in Week 4, they benefited from playing against a shorthanded offense. History appears primed to repeat itself against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. Several Colts playmakers make appearances on Shane Steichen's lengthy injury report.
Firstly, the Colts are sorting through who will start at quarterback versus the Titans. Preferred starter Anthony Richardson was back on the practice field in a full capacity on Thursday after missing the team's Week 5 defeat to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Backup Joe Flacco completed 33 passes for 359 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions in that loss. Flacco is undeniably a more technically advanced quarterback than Richardson right now, but the expectation is the Colts will hand the reins back over to their inexperienced 22-year-old signal caller.
Michael Pittman Jr. injury leaves Colts without go-to playmaker
Go-to wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. is dealing with a back injury that could sideline him for multiple weeks, with a stint on IR as a possibility. Pittman Jr. leads the Colts in receptions this year with 22, to go along with 238 receiving yards and one touchdown. He's led the Colts in all three major receiving categories for three consecutive campaigns.
Titans defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson has had superstar cornerback L'Jarius Sneed shadowing opposing No. 1 wideouts, but there's no clear-cut choice for that duty without Pittman Jr. in the lineup. Alec Pierce, who leads the Colts in receiving yards this season, and rookie Adonai Mitchell are expected to serve as the boundary receivers in Pittman Jr.'s absence.
Jonathan Taylor, Josh Downs also at risk
Colts running back Jonathan Taylor missed his second straight practice on Thursday. The former rushing champion also missed last week's divisional contest with an ongoing ankle injury. Indianapolis' running backs rushed for just 64 yards via 15 carries in his absence.
The uninspiring duo of Trey Sermon, who returned to practice on Thursday after a brief setback, and Tyler Goodson, appear in line to share backfield duties in Taylor's absence. The Titans have the league's top-ranked defense, allowing just 243.8 yards per game to date.
Starting slot receiver Josh Downs also missed a second straight practice with a (toe) injury. Downs has been a target hog all season long, and Richardson (or Flacco) will miss their most reliable safety net. Pierce and Mitchell must carry Indianapolis' passing attack against a stingy Titans secondary.
Taking the Titans' faults into account, they're capable of beating bad quarterbacks and bad offenses. That much was evident in the blowout victory over Tyler "Snoop" Huntley and the Dolphins. The Colts offense should endure a difficult afternoon versus a stout Titans defense.