Prognostications about the AFC South generally give the Indianapolis Colts credit for 5-1 or 6-0 in intra-division games, with the rest of the division lagging well behind Indianapolis in quality. However, the Colts might not have their quarterback on the field for Sunday’s game, bringing their first matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars of 2015 into more question.
Fantasy football advice, Week 4: Who to start/sit for Jaguars vs. Colts
This is a game normally dominated by the Colts, but a quarterback injury brings that into question.
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The Jaguars will be without tight end Julius Thomas yet again for this game. Wide receiver Allen Hurns is expected to play despite a thigh injury. The big injury news is on the Colts’ side, with quarterback Andrew Luck dealing with a shoulder injury. The Colts have said Luck will likely play, but it’s something to watch. Less of a sure thing is tight end Dwayne Allen, who missed Week 3 with an ankle injury and is a game-time decision.
The Colts host the Jaguars Sunday, with the game scheduled for 1 p.m. ET. Let’s look at the fantasy names to consider:
JAGUARS
Start ‘em?: Just by virtue of having the gig basically to himself, T.J. Yeldon has potential as a flex play. He’s averaging only 6.3 fantasy points a game, so it’s not a great option. ... After 27 fantasy points in Week 2, fantasy owners had to be a little let down by Allen Robinson putting up only six in Week 3. Still, he’s the primary target on the team at least until Thomas returns, with a matchup against Vontae Davis being the biggest worry. ... Robinson is the team’s No. 1 wideout, which could mean he draws No. 1 defense attention. That makes Allen Hurns a bit interesting. ... Clay Harbor had a productive Week 3, and they aren’t giving any targets to Marcedes Lewis right now. He has a zero-point floor, but if you’re desperate there’s potential there. ... It certainly looks like Andrew Luck will give it a go Sunday, but on the off-chance he sits, the Jaguars’ defense against Matt Hasselbeck is intriguing.
Sit ‘em: It’s been a promising start to the season for Blake Bortles, who has put up 20 and 15 fantasy points in the last two weeks after an underwhelming Week 1. He’s showing some more promise, but he’s still not in fantasy starting territory. ... Jason Myers, like most of the team, had a fine Week 2 surrounded by underwhelming other games. Not a great kicking option there.
COLTS
Start ‘em: Okay, when predicting the Colts game with a quarterback question, you basically have to pick an approach and go with it. So we’re going forward as though Andrew Luck is playing, making him a must-start even with his injury, and if he sits, well, reconsider everything below this. ... Except Frank Gore, who should be started Sunday no matter who the Indianapolis quarterback is. ... T.Y. Hilton and Donte Moncrief are the team’s top two receivers. Moncrief has gotten more attention so far this season, though Hilton is still theoretically the team’s No. 1. Both make for good WR2 options.
Start ‘em?: The likelihood of Dwayne Allen missing Sunday, or at least being well below 100 percent, makes Coby Fleener a high-end TE2 with a shot at TE1 production. ... Adam Vinatieri had his first not-awful game of the season in Week 3, but he’s still at four total fantasy points through three weeks. ... The Colts’ defense has been getting better each game, and against Jacksonville, that’s a borderline must-start unit.
Sit ‘em: If Luck were to sit, Matt Hasselbeck would start at quarterback for Indianapolis, and noooooo thank you. ... Maybe Andre Johnson isn’t done, but you need to see evidence of that before he gets anywhere near a fantasy lineup.
SUMMARY
Start in every league: Andrew Luck, Frank Gore, T.Y. Hilton, Donte Moncrief
Start if you’re desperate: T.J. Yeldon, Allen Robinson, Allen Hurns, Clay Harbor, Jacksonville defense, Coby Fleener, Adam VInatieri, Indianapolis defense
Bench: Blake Bortles, Jason Myers, Matt Hasselbeck, Andre Johnson
