Jackson signed his exclusive rights deal with the Colts on Monday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 Houston reports.
Jackson will return to the Colts on the league minimum salary in 2023. The 23-year-old running back rushed 68 times for 236 yards and one touchdown while catching 30 of 34 targets for 209 yards and one touchdown this season. Jackson will likely be limited to a depth role in the fall unless injuries deplete the Colts' backfield depth again.
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Colts' Deon Jackson: Plays limited role sans Taylor
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Jackson had zero carries but caught all three targets for nine yards during Monday's 20-3 loss to the Chargers.
With Jonathan Taylor (ankle) on IR, Jackson was expected to see an increased workload. However, his first reception went for a nine-yard loss in the first quarter, and he didn't touch the ball again until the Colts' final offensive possession. He tied Jordan Wilkins with just eight offensive snaps, as Zack Moss (36) dominated the backfield work. The entire offense struggled Monday night, but it was disappointing to see Jackson completely uninvolved until the final minutes. Even if he sees more snaps in Week 17, Jackson figures to be a risky play against the Giants' stout run defense.
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Colts' Deon Jackson: Likely to rotate with Zack Moss
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Colts interim head coach Jeff Saturday said that Jackson will likely be part of a rotation out of the backfield with Zack Moss during Monday's game against the Chargers, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.
After Jonathan Taylor (ankle) exited early in last Saturday's 39-36 overtime loss to the Vikings with what proved to be a season-ending injury, Jackson ranked a distant second to Moss in terms of snap share. Jackson finished the day with 25 snaps (31.6 percent) and logged 13 carries for 55 yards to go with a one-yard touchdown reception, while Moss took 53 snaps (67.1 percent) and carried 24 times for 81 yards while going without a target. Saturday said that the Colts' starting running back for Week 16 will be a game-time decision, and it's possible the coach ends up favoring the hotter hand of the two backs as Monday's contest unfolds. The two backs' usage from last week would seem to imply that Moss is the preferred candidate for early down work, though the superior efficiency Jackson demonstrated could prompt Saturday to give him more snaps and carries than he received against the Vikings. The Colts also have Jordan Wilkins as a third option out of the backfield to potentially lean on.
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Colts' Deon Jackson: Week 16 Waiver Priority List
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The Colts are without Jonathan Taylor (ankle), potentially for the rest of the season, which puts Moss and Deon Jackson (21 percent rostered) on the spot as the best options in the backfield for Indianapolis. After Taylor was hurt in the Week 15 meltdown at Minnesota, Moss took over as the lead back with 24 carries for 84 yards and one target. Jackson had 13 carries for 55 yards and one catch for a 1-yard touchdown on one target, but he also lost a fumble. Moss is the preferred option for Week 16 against the Chargers, who are No. 5 in most Fantasy points allowed to running backs for the season. I like him as a flex this week, and Jackson is also worth using as a flex in deeper formats.
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Colts' Deon Jackson: Should get larger role sans Taylor
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Jackson and Zack Moss are expected to serve as the Colts' primary options out of the backfield for the final three games of the season with Jonathan Taylor considered unlikely to suit up again after suffering a high-ankle sprain in Saturday's 39-36 overtime loss to the Vikings, Matt Adams and Mike Chappell of Fox 59 Indianapolis report.
Taylor played just two snaps Saturday before exiting the contest with what will likely end up being a season-ending injury, and the Colts were able to find plenty of work for both Jackson and Moss while the team held a double-digit lead for more than three quarters before the Vikings completed an improbable and historic comeback. Moss (24 carries for 81 yards) ended up leading the way, but Jackson (13 carries for 55 yards plus a one-yard touchdown reception) was more efficient with his opportunities. The Colts aren't likely to have the luxury of dishing out 37 carries again in 2022, so both backs could see their volume take a hit beginning with next Monday's game against the Chargers. Even so, the absence of Taylor still puts both backs on the fantasy radar, despite the uncertainty of how the workload may be divided. Jackson, who had a 10-reception game back in Week 6 against the Jaguars when Taylor was previously sidelined, likely offers more upside in the pass-catching department of the two backs, though Moss isn't a total zero in that area.
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Colts' Deon Jackson: Catches TD after Taylor injury
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Jackson rushed 13 times for 55 yards and caught his only target for a one-yard touchdown in Saturday's 39-36 overtime loss to the Vikings. He also lost a fumble.
Jackson watched Zack Moss take over for the remainder of the opening drive after Jonathan Taylor (ankle) got injured on his first touch. After Moss was stuffed by the goal line, Jackson checked in to start the team's next possession and wound up capping it with a one-yard touchdown catch. Jackson finished the game with 13 carries to Moss's 24, and they would likely remain in a timeshare against the Chargers in Week 16 if Taylor fails to recover from his injury by then.
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Colts' Deon Jackson: Just two carries in loss
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Jackson had two carries for six yards in Sunday's loss at Dallas.
Jackson played on eight of the offense's 72 snaps. He's the clear backup to Jonathan Taylor after the trade of Nyheim Hines to Buffalo, but Taylor is playing nearly every down under new head coach Jeff Saturday.
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Colts' Deon Jackson: Four catches in loss to Philly
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Jackson rushed once for seven yards and caught all four of his targets for three yards in Sunday's 17-16 loss to the Eagles.
A healthy Jonathan Taylor got the vast majority of the Colts' rushing attempts, racking up 84 yards on 22 carries. Matt Ryan tried to get Jackson involved as a pass catcher out of the backfield, but the Eagles' sure tackling prevented Jackson from contributing much in that regard. The 23-year-old running back has taken on the change-of-pace role vacated by the traded Nyheim Hines, though the jury is still out on whether Jackson can replicate Hines' effectiveness as a receiver.
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Colts' Deon Jackson: Returning to action in Week 11
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Jackson (knee) doesn't have a designation for Sunday's game against the Eagles.
Even though Jackson is set to put an end to a two-game absence due to a knee injury, he'll be playing second fiddle, at best, in a Colts backfield dominated by a now healthy Jonathan Taylor. Jackson has shown prowess as a pass catcher, though, having hauled in 16 of 17 passes for 121 yards this season, so he may slide into the role previously held by Nyheim Hines, who was dealt to the Bills at the trade deadline.
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Colts' Deon Jackson: Not practicing
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Jackson (knee) didn't practice Wednesday.
Jackson missed the Colts' 25-20 win over Las Vegas last Sunday, while Jonathan Taylor returned from an ankle injury to play 94 percent of the snaps while taking 22 carries for 147 yards and a touchdown. Taylor will lead the backfield again this Sunday against Philadelphia, with Zack Moss and Jordan Wilkins providing depth if Jackson isn't ready to suit up.
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Colts' Deon Jackson: Misses second straight practice
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Jackson (knee) didn't participate in Thursday's practice.
After serving as the Colts' lead back in last week's loss to the Patriots while Jonathan Taylor (ankle) missed his third game of the season, Jackson now appears to be the worst health among the two backs. Taylor returned to practice Wednesday as a limited participant before upgrading to full activity Thursday, while Jackson didn't log any reps for the second day in a row. Jackson could still put himself in position to play Sunday in Las Vegas if he manages some practice activity Friday, but with Taylor poised to rejoin the lineup this weekend, Jackson would likely be in store only for a change-of-pace role.
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Colts' Deon Jackson: Not practicing to start week
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Jackson was held out of practice Wednesday with a knee injury.
Meanwhile, Jonathan Taylor (ankle) returned to practice as a limited participant after missing a 26-3 loss to the Patriots on Sunday. Jackson was the lead back in that game but finished with only 36 yards on 13 touches in an ugly outing for the Indianapolis offense in what turned out to be Frank Reich's final game as head coach. It's possible Jackson gets another start Sunday in Las Vegas, but only if he makes progress later in the week while Taylor heads the other direction.
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Colts' Deon Jackson: Only 36 yards on 13 touches
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Jackson rushed the ball 11 times for 23 yards in Sunday's 26-3 loss to the Patriots. He added two receptions on three targets for 13 yards.
Jackson served as the Colts' primary running back with Jonathan Taylor (ankle) and Zack Moss (coach's decision) both inactive. Despite dominating touches out of the backfield, he managed very little production as the team's offense was stalled for the entire game. It's unclear how long Taylor may be sidelined, but even if he misses a Week 10 matchup against the Raiders, it's difficult to trust Jackson to produce given the poor state of the Colts offense.
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Colts' Deon Jackson: Possible bust
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Jackson should be in line for a good dose of touches on Sunday -- as many as 15. The concern is that they'll lead to just modest production. He basically needs to score or pick up a ton of receptions in order for Fantasy managers to feel satisfied, but the Patriots have been real good about not letting running backs score on them, nor does Sam Ehlinger have a great track record of targeting his running backs. He's a No. 2 rusher sort of by default because of his workload, but not one you should get excited to start. I'd rather start Jamaal Williams, Antonio Gibson or James Conner, but I'd start Jackson over Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Brian Robinson or A.J. Dillon.
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Colts' Deon Jackson: Sleeper RBs
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Jackson gets the chance to start this week with Jonathan Taylor (ankle) out, and Colts coach Frank Reich said Friday that this is a week for Jackson to be the guy. I would use Jackson as a No. 2 Fantasy running back in all leagues against the Patriots. Remember, Nyheim Hines is no longer in Indianapolis, so Jackson should get the majority of the snaps. We'll see how much Zack Moss plays, if at all, but Jackson should be looking at 15-plus touches. And hopefully he gets involved in the passing game from Sam Ehlinger. For the season, Jackson has 14 targets for 14 catches and 108 yards, so let's hope Ehlinger throws him the ball.
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Colts' Deon Jackson: In line for expanded role Sunday
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With Jonathan Taylor (ankle) ruled out, Jackson is in line for an expanded role Sunday against the Patriots, Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan Indianapolis reports.
The report notes that the Colts are likely to elevate Phillip Lindsay from their practice squad ahead of the contest, with newcomer Zack Moss' role this weekend to be determined. Also currently on the team's practice squad are D'Vonte Price and Jordan Wilkins. With that in mind, Jackson profiles as a fantasy lineup option for those looking to find a replacement for Taylor or seeking some Week 9 running back depth with six NFL teams on bye.
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Colts' Deon Jackson: Just one carry in loss
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Jackson lost four yards on his lone carry in Sunday's loss to Washington.
Jackson played just two snaps on offense as he has a limited reserve role with both Jonathan Taylor and Nyheim Hines healthy.
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Colts' Deon Jackson: Moves back to minimal role
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Jackson had two carries for three yards in Sunday's loss at Tennessee.
Jackson played just five snaps on offense as he's moved back to a deep reserve role with both Jonathan Taylor (ankle) and Nyheim Hines (concussion) returning from injury. Jackson had 29 total touches for 222 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown in two games with Taylor out, so he still could have fantasy value if pressed into a larger role. However, Jackson may get few touches on offense with both Taylor and Hines healthy.
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Colts' Deon Jackson: Full participant Wednesday
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Jackson (quadriceps) was a full participant during Wednesday's practice.
Jackson was forced out of Indianapolis' Week 6 win over the Jaguars due to a quadriceps injury, but he appears to have avoided a major issue and should be good to go for a Week 7 matchup with the Titans. However, after racking up 39 total touches for 222 yards and a touchdown over his last two appearances, Jackson may drop to third in the backfield pecking order, as Jonathan Taylor (ankle) logged another limited practice and Nyheim Hines (concussion) fully participated Wednesday. Regardless, fantasy managers are still encouraged to monitor the Colts' running-back room this week to see if Taylor and Hines approach Sunday's contest without designations.
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Colts' Deon Jackson: Should play more sans Taylor, Hines
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Jackson is expected to benefit from an expanded workload for the second game in a row with fellow backs Jonathan Taylor (ankle) and Nyheim Hines (concussion) having both been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Jaguars, The Associated Press reports. "What we're looking for is consistency in performance. We think Deon can provide that if needed," head coach Frank Reich said Friday, before Taylor and Hines were downgraded to out Saturday. "We feel like Deon took a major step [Week 5 against Denver]. I don't think he surprised us."
When Taylor sat out against Denver and when Hines exited after playing just three snaps, Jackson stepped up to take on the largest workload of his career. He played 44 snaps (60 percent) on offense in the 12-9 overtime win, carrying 13 times for 62 yards while adding four receptions for 29 yards on four targets. Meanwhile, Phillip Lindsay played 36 percent of the snaps in that game and totaled 54 yards from scrimmage on his 14 touches (11 carries, three receptions), and the Colts have elevated Lindsay from the practice squad once again with both Taylor and Hines sitting out. As such, Jackson and Lindsay could again form a timeshare out of the backfield that could make it difficult to depend on either to assume the overwhelming majority of the touches.
