New Indianapolis Colts quarterback Carson Wentz suffered a foot injury during training camp and surgery is expected to keep him sidelined for 5-12 weeks.
We are almost exactly six weeks from the Colts' regular-season opener against Seattle. While that means it's possible Wentz is back in time for Week 1, the timetable suggests we should plan on at least a few missed games.
What does that mean in fantasy football?
Honestly, not much. The Colts operate a low-volume, run-first scheme and that has led to only one Indianapolis player being drafted prior to the ninth round in 12-team leagues.
That player is, of course, running back Jonathan Taylor, who is currently a first-round pick in most formats. The second-year back could see fewer scoring opportunities with Wentz sidelined, but he may also see a few extra carries if the Colts lean more on their running game. Taylor remains a fine first-round target.
The thought is similar for Colts wide receivers T.Y. Hilton, Michael Pittman Jr. and Parris Campbell. All three have consistently been drafted after the eighth round, so they already weren't very pricey. A slight dip in production is likely while Wentz is out, but you weren't counting on them as starters anyway. All three remain fine bench options, especially Campbell since he has the latest ADP (around the 15th round).
Jack Doyle is the Colts' top tight end, but he is going undrafted in most leagues that start one tight end. Nothing changes for him or running mate Mo Alie-Cox.
As for Wentz, even prior to the injury, I had him ranked 26th at quarterback and he was coming off the board in the 13th round of 12-team leagues. Already a back-end QB2 target, at best, Wentz does not need to be drafted in non-superflex formats. Instead of Wentz, pivot to the likes of Tua Tagovailoa, Ben Roethlisberger, Justin Fields and Daniel Jones.
The most-actionable advice I can supply here is to consider selecting the Seattle D/ST with one of your final picks and stream them against whomever is under center (Jacob Eason? Brett Hundley?) for the Colts in Week 1. Otherwise, not much has changed.
Updated 2021 projections for the entire league, including the shorthanded Colts