If you're desperate for a running back to fill out a lineup this week, how about Nyheim Hines? We've talked (argued) about him before, and in general he hasn't been great this season. But he comes off a 5-catch game, and he's facing a defense not great at covering running backs near the goal line.
The Colts host Washington, which has thus far allowed 5 touchdown receptions by running backs in seven games. That's 2 more than any other team. The Colts will also throw some to Jonathan Taylor, but Hines will be their main pass catcher at the position.
In seven games, two teams -- the Eagles in a blowout win, and the Bears who aren't a prolific passing team -- didn't throw at all to their running backs (1 target total). But here's how the running backs in the other five games fared.
| RUNNING BACK RECEIVING VERSUS WASHINGTON | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Tgt | No | Yds | TD |
| Etienne/Robinson, Jax. | 6 | 3 | 21 | 1 |
| Swift/Williams, Det. | 6 | 3 | 38 | 1 |
| Elliott/Pollard, Dall. | 5 | 3 | 34 | 0 |
| Henry/Hilliard, Ten. | 7 | 6 | 53 | 1 |
| Jones, G.B. | 10 | 9 | 53 | 2 |
The Colts have a new quarterback. Tough to be sure if he'll throw to his running backs often, like Philip Rivers or Matt Ryan, or less so, like Carson Wentz. But not the worst week to use a Colts back in hopes of some receptions, yards and maybe a touchdown.
--Andy Richardson