Fantasy football advice, Week 3: Who to start/sit for Colts vs. Titans

The Indianapolis Colts were supposed to ride a prolific offense to wins in each of their first two games. Instead, they’re 0-2. The Tennessee Titans, meanwhile, were underdogs in Week 1, but won handily. That led to them being favored in Week 2, where they lost, again, handily. Basically, through four team games, these teams have gone according to expectations zero times. On Sunday, they play one another, and clearly no one has any idea what will happen.

The Colts are dealing with an injury to tight end Dwayne Allen, who missed basically the whole week of practice with an ankle injury and appears unlikely to win. Wide receiver Andre Johnson also appeared on the injury report, though that appears to largely be for maintenance. For the Titans, the primary injury from a fantasy perspective is tight end Delanie Walker, who missed Week 2 with a wrist injury but practiced in full for part of the week and looks likely to play on Sunday.

Indianapolis will travel south for Sunday’s game in Tennessee, with game time scheduled for 1 p.m. ET. Let’s take a look at the fantasy names to consider:

Start ‘em: The primary thing for basically all of the Indianapolis weapons right now is “benefit of the doubt.” The team faced probably the two toughest defenses it will face all year in Weeks 1 and 2. Things will get better, starting as soon as Sunday, and Andrew Luck is still a fantasy must-start. ... The team wasn’t heavy on T.Y. Hilton in Week 2 as he recovered from injury. He should be healthy now and fine to play.

Start ‘em?: It’s been a rough start in Indianapolis for Frank Gore. Patience is nice, but at this point he’s barely usable in lineups until he shows he still has it. ... The best player on the Colts so far has been Donte Moncrief, who has solidified his role as the team’s No. 2 receiver and is at least a flex play. ... When the Colts have their top two tight ends, neither can stand out, but with Dwayne Allen likely sidelined, Coby Fleener could see an expanded role. ... If you assume the Indianapolis offense will improve, then Adam Vinatieri should improve as well, but he’s going to have to stop missing.

Sit ‘em: Until we see that Andre Johnson can still be Andre Johnson, he needs to sit on fantasy benches. ... The Indianapolis offense should improve, but the Colts’ defense still isn’t very good.

Start ‘em: Everything appears to be a go for Delanie Walker in Week 3, which puts him right back in must-start territory.

Start ‘em?: The Colts will have Vontae Davis back for Week 3, which could hinder Kendall Wright, but he’s the team’s top wide receiver and is still a flex option.

Sit ‘em: It’s been a fine debut for Marcus Mariota, with 19.5 fantasy points a game through two weeks, but he still isn’t a strong fantasy option. There needs to be more of a resume first. ... A week after a huge start to the season for Bishop Sankey, he turned back into Bishop Sankey in Week 2. Stay away. ... Dexter McCluster had a monster game for him in Week 2, but that doesn’t seem like the type of thing likely to continue. ... Let me know when Justin Hunter and/or Harry Douglas become fantasy-relevant, will you? ... Ryan Succop is a fine, unremarkable kicker, but not a great fantasy option. ... The Titans’ defense is nothing like the ones the Colts have faced so far.

Start in every league: Andrew Luck, T.Y. Hilton, Delanie Walker
Start if you’re desperate: Frank Gore, Donte Moncrief, Coby Fleener, Adam Vinatieri, Kendall Wright
Bench: Andre Johnson, Indianapolis defense, Marcus Mariota, Bishop Sankey, Dexter McCluster, Justin Hunter, Harry Douglas, Ryan Succop, Tennessee defense