Who’s in and who’s out?
That might determine the outcome of Sunday’s game when the Indianapolis Colts travel to Nashville, Tenn., for an AFC South clash with the Tennessee Titans.
Indianapolis (2-3) played without quarterback Anthony Richardson (oblique) and running back Jonathan Taylor (ankle) in last week’s 37-34 loss at previously winless Jacksonville, although backup signal-caller Joe Flacco did his part to win the game with 359 yards through the air.
Tennessee (1-3) is coming off its bye week after giving first-year coach Brian Callahan his first win with a 31-12 victory at the Miami Dolphins on “Monday Night Football” Sept. 30.
The Titans won that night without star defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (elbow) and lost quarterback Will Levis (shoulder) in the first quarter.
Tennessee may have its injured starters back in time to face the Colts. Simmons was able to participate in Wednesday practice in a limited role, while Levis was a full participant and made it clear afterwards he intends to play.
“I’m going to push myself to play in whatever state that I’m in,” he said. “I’ve got to be smart throughout the week and feel it out and see how I feel, and not put myself or the team in jeopardy. But I’m fighting like hell to get out there on Sunday.”
If Levis can’t play, veteran Mason Rudolph will make his first Titans start. The former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback was more of a game manager than a gunslinger in Miami, throwing for just 85 yards. But with a running game that produced 142 yards and a defense that held the punchless Dolphins to 184 total yards, Rudolph didn’t have to be spectacular.
Tennessee’s defense has been a bright spot amid the team’s slow start. It leads the league in total defense (243.8 yards allowed per game) and pass defense (124.0 yards per game), while ranking tied for 15th against the run (119.8 yards per game).
Indianapolis might play its second straight game without Taylor, who did not practice Wednesday.
Taylor has run for 349 yards and four touchdowns across four games this season. With him out against Jacksonville last Sunday, the Colts tried just 20 running plays on 65 offensive snaps.
Richardson practiced in a limited role Wednesday and may be available Sunday, but whoever starts against the Titans will be down a key target.
ESPN reported Wednesday that top receiver Michael Pittman Jr. is expected to miss multiple weeks with a back injury. Pittman has 22 receptions for 238 yards and one touchdown in five games this season.
Fellow receiver Josh Downs (toe) is also questionable for Sunday after missing Wednesday’s practice.
However, Richardson is optimistic that he can return to action, even as the teams’ receiving corps remains murky aside from Alec Pierce.
“Way better, compared to last week,” Richardson said of his status. “I was able to move a little bit. I’m able to get going, start running, throwing. Feeling good about that. I can do the stuff I need to do in the offense.”
Whether Indianapolis’ defense can offer any resistance remains to be seen. The Colts rank last in total defense (419.2 yards allowed per game), next-to-last against the run (157.0 yards per game) and 29th of 32 teams against the pass (262.2 yards per game).
Jacksonville carved Indianapolis up for 497 total yards last week, including 371 through the air.
The Colts hold a 37-21 lead in their regular-season series against Tennessee, winning both matchups last year.
