Breakout backup players keeping Colts in playoff hunt

INDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis Colts starting quarterback Anthony Richardson hasn't played since Week 5.

Jonathan Taylor, the 2021 NFL rushing champ, missed his third straight game Saturday.

So when the Colts lost their leading rusher, Zack Moss, and leading receiver, Michael Pittman Jr., in the span of three second-quarter offensive plays, they didn't fret. They excelled.

Short-handed Indy erased a 13-0 deficit by scoring the final 30 points to keep its hold on the AFC's No. 7 seed for one more week and eventually move into a three-way tie for the AFC South lead.

With the playing status of Taylor (right thumb surgery), Pittman (concussion protocol) and Moss (right arm) still unclear, Indy may need similar efforts from its backups to beat Atlanta on Sunday.

“I had a chance to talk to him (Saturday) night. He’s doing good,” coach Shane Steichen said Sunday, referring to Pittman. “We will see how the week progresses. Same with Zack, he’s doing all right.”

Steichen and Colts players have been reluctant to criticize the hits that knocked out Moss and Pittman, both of which drew personal foul penalties.

Quarterback Gardner Minshew even seemed to partially blame himself for the scariest play of the game.

Steelers safety Demontae Kazee launched himself into the diving, unprotected Pittman who remained on the ground for several minutes as players from both teams took to a knee before Pittman walked off the field.

Kazee was ejected from the game and has been suspended for the rest of this season.

“I wish I wouldn’t have put Pitt in that position, honestly,” Minshew said. "So you always try to do your best to protect your guys, but sometimes unfortunate things just happen in the game.”

Whether Kazee's hit or Mykal Walker's horse-collar tackle on Moss as he fought his way to a 16-yard TD catch, were intentional didn't matter to the Colts (8-6). They've been playing this way all season.

Moss emerged as one of the NFL's top rushers when Taylor opened the season on the physically unable to perform list. Minshew has proven himself to be one of the NFL's most capable backup quarterbacks.

Center Wesley French and rookie tackle Blake Freeland have been solid when asked to replace injured starters Ryan Kelly and Braden Smith.

Even linebacker Ronnie Harrison Jr. has two interceptions, including a pick-6, since stepping in following the release of three-time All-Pro linebacker Shaquille Leonard.

On Saturday, Trey Sermon, Tyler Goodson and D.J. Montgomery — who spent most of this season on the practice squad — added their names to the growing list.

And to make the playoffs for the first time since 2020, Indy may need to keep playing this way for three more weeks.

“Guys have to step up and go make plays when their number is called,” Steichen said. "You never know when that’s going to happen. Obviously, (Saturday) was that day for those guys and they made the most of it.”

WHAT’S WORKING

Minshew. Steichen saw what Minshew could do when they worked together in Philadelphia the previous two seasons, and the backup QB has been worth every penny. He's matched a career high in wins (six) and tied his career high with three TD passes Saturday.

WHAT NEEDS HELP

Kicking. Matt Gay is the league's highest-paid kicker and early this season, he played like it — making his first six field-goal attempts, four from 50 or more yards. But Gay missed two field goals against the Steelers, is 10 of his past 15 and has at least one miss in four of the Colts' past five games. Pittsburgh also blocked a punt.

STOCK UP

Sermon and Goodson. Sermon went into Week 15 with 11 carries this season, Goodson had none. They sure didn't play like backups. Sermon logged 17 carries and 88 yards on the same field he rushed for an Ohio State-record 331 yards three years earlier. Goodson rushed 11 times for 69 yards.

STOCK DOWN

WR Josh Downs. From Weeks 5-11, the former North Carolina star looked like a breakout rookie. Over the past three weeks, though, his productivity has decreased. He has nine receptions for 65 yards during the span, including three catches for 19 yards last weekend.

INJURIES

In addition to Pittman, Moss and Taylor, the Colts remain hopeful Smith can return from a knee injury after missing the past two games.

KEY NUMBER

1 — The Colts are tied with defending AFC South champ Jacksonville and surprising Houston for the division lead and a winning record in Steichen's first season as a head coach.

NEXT STEPS

Getting Taylor back this week, as the Colts were hoping by not putting him on injured reserve, would be a big boost. But the loss at Cincinnati and the slow start against Pittsburgh have raised more questions about the defense than the offense.

If Indy is going to make the playoffs, the defense needs to be more consistent.