According to Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen, quarterback Joe Flacco will remain under center "until he says otherwise." With Anthony Richardson benched, Flacco threw for 272 yards and two touchdowns off 26-for-35 passing in Sunday's loss to Buffalo. However, he also tossed three interceptions, with one resulting in a pick-six. With that in mind, the signal-caller hasn't been terrible in his starts this season, so he should continue to have sporadic value in multi-QB fantasy setups moving ahead as long as he remains starting, including against the Jets in Week 11, even more so if Michael Pittman Jr. (back) can suit up after missing Sunday's contest.
Nov 10, 2024 5:28 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Joe Flacco started in place of the struggling Anthony Richardson in Week 9 versus the Vikings, but the veteran QB was unable to get the offense going, completing 16 of 27 passes for 179 yards, no touchdowns, one interception, and a fumble. Finding success in Week 10 could be just as much of an uphill battle, as the Colts take on a tough Buffalo pass defense and Flacco will be down one of his weapons with Michael Pittman Jr. set to miss the game. While Buffalo has been tough on quarterbacks, allowing the sixth-fewest fantasy points to opposing signal-callers, their rush defense has been gashed for the second-most fantasy points to opposing running backs. With former Pro Bowl running back Jonathan Taylor in tow, it's all the more reason to lean on the run game. That leaves Flacco as a low-end QB2 in Week 10.
Nov 8, 2024 5:48 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Joe Flacco will remain under center for at least one more week. There was some speculation that the Colts would turn back to Anthony Richardson after Flacco's struggles in Week 9. However, head coach Shane Steichen confirmed that Flacco will remain the starter. The veteran signal-caller completed 16-of-27 passing attempts for 179 yards and an interception in the loss to the Minnesota Vikings. It's not exactly going to get easier for Flacco against the Buffalo Bills next week. Outside of one strong performance, Flacco has been quiet under center. He'll be low-end QB2 for this Week 10 matchup against the Bills.
Nov 4, 2024 9:18 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Joe Flacco was unable to lead his team to victory after being named the team's starter, completing 16 of 27 passes for 179 yards with no touchdowns and an interception in Sunday night's 21-13 loss to the Vikings. The 39-year-old was also charged with a fumble in the game after a handoff to running back Jonathan Taylor was not handled cleanly. It was a disappointing performance against a defense that hadn't been great against the pass thus far (seventh-most fantasy points allowed to QBs coming into the week), although it does lead the league in interceptions (14). The Colts have a home date with the Bills in Week 10 who have been stingier, allowing the sixth-fewest fantasy points to QBs, so things may not get much better. The veteran figures to be a low-end QB2 again next Sunday.
Nov 4, 2024 10:15 AM EST
The Indianapolis Colts will start Joe Flacco under center in Week 9 versus the Vikings. The 39-year-old started three games for the Colts in Weeks 4 through 6, tossing at least two touchdown passes in each of the games, totaling 716 yards with a 7:1 TD:INT. While the Vikings are tough against the run, they can be beaten through the air, allowing the seventh-most fantasy points to QBs on the season, with the last four signal-callers who faced them faring even better, averaging 298 yards passing and three TDs. In a game with a 46.5 over/under and the Colts as five-point underdogs though, it doesn't foretell of a high-scoring game for the Colts, so while Flacco is a massive upgrade over Anthony Richardson, he still looks like a low-end QB2 for fantasy this week with some slight upside.
Nov 1, 2024 8:32 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen reported that quarterback Joe Flacco will be the team's starter moving forward. Indianapolis is going all-in on Flacco, who they believe gives them the "best chance to win right now." Steichen also noted they have not given up on second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson. Evidently, Indy has finally realized what was immediately apparent when Richardson went down with a hip injury in Week 4 -- the veteran QB is far and away the most competent signal-caller on this squad. The 39-year-old will be a massive boon to all Colts' pass-catchers and should help substantiate the offense overall for the remainder of his tenure as the starter. Among the 225 quarterbacks who have dropped back 250-plus times since the year 2000, Richardson ranks 222nd in completion rate (50%).
Oct 30, 2024 12:50 PM EST
The Indianapolis Colts have named veteran quarterback Joe Flacco the starter for the Week 9 game against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday Night Football. This move comes after the continuous struggles of second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson despite the belief that he would take time to develop as a raw prospect out of the 2023 draft class. Through Richardson's first 10 starts, he has compiled a 5-5 record while completing just 50.2% of his passes for 1,535 yards, seven touchdowns, and eight interceptions. Flacco led the Cleveland Browns to the playoffs in 2023 and has the chance to do the same for Indy in 2024. Flacco has appeared in four games this season, throwing for 716 yards, seven touchdowns, and one interception. He is now a must-add fantasy option in two-QB and Superflex leagues. His return to the starting lineup should provide a boost for wideouts Josh Downs and Michael Pittman Jr.
Oct 29, 2024 3:02 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Joe Flacco was named the starter on Sunday morning and completed 22 of his 38 passes for 189 yards and two touchdowns in a 20-17 win over the Tennessee Titans. Flacco also threw one interception in the matchup. Flacco hit Josh Downs on a 22-yard touchdown in the first quarter, and the Colts didn't score another touchdown until the fourth quarter when he found Michael Pittman Jr. on a ten-yard touchdown grab. The 39-year-old didn't jump off the box score with just 189 yards through the air, but that shouldn't be much of a cause for panic given the Titans' secondary has allowed the fewest passing yards so far this season. It's unclear who the starter will be moving forward, but Flacco would make for a solid streaming option once again in Week 7 should he get the start against the Miami Dolphins.
Oct 14, 2024 1:03 AM EST
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Joe Flacco will make his second consecutive start in Week 6, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Anthony Richardson (oblique) was expected to start this week, but at the last minute, Indianapolis made him inactive as their emergency third quarterback. In the end, the starting job will belong to Flacco for one more week. Through two games so far, he has 49 completions, 527 passing yards, five touchdowns, and zero interceptions. He's less mobile than Richardson but possesses more firepower through the air, so the fact that he's starting Sunday is good news for Michael Pittman Jr., Josh Downs, and Alec Pierce in fantasy football.
Oct 13, 2024 11:36 AM EST
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Joe Flacco had an outstanding Week 5 performance, completing 33 of his 44 passes for 359 yards in the team's loss. Flacco's starting status for Week 6 against the Titans is up in the air, with QB Anthony Richardson (oblique) tracking to play but still a game-time decision. If Flacco were to start, he would make for a deeper streaming option, with the Titans secondary allowing the fewest passing yards this season at a 124/game average. Fantasy managers in 2QB/Superflex leagues should stay up to date on the news on Sunday morning, should they need a last-minute replacement.
Oct 12, 2024 8:26 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Joe Flacco completed 33 of his 44 passes for 359 yards and three touchdowns in the team's 34-37 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Flacco committed no turnovers and also surprisingly ran the ball three times for another 22 yards on the ground. Flacco was nearly perfect in the shootout loss, finding Michael Pittman Jr., Mo-Alie Cox, and Alec Pierce in the endzone throughout the game. The game script heavily favored Flacco's performance, with the Colts facing a two-touchdown deficit with less than six minutes to play in regulation, resulting in an increased passing volume for Indy. It's unclear what the plan is for Indianapolis at quarterback while Anthony Richardson (oblique) recovers from injury. Still, Flacco would remain a strong streaming option if he gets the start again in Week 5. The Colts will face a stingy Titans defense in Week 6, but Flacco would remain firmly on the radar again then should he be named the starter.
Oct 7, 2024 1:49 AM EST
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Joe Flacco came off the bench to help the Colts in Week 4, completing 16 of his 26 passes for 168 yards and two touchdowns in the team's win. Now, reports suggest that Flacco will get the start again in Week 5, with Anthony Richardson (hip) marked as doubtful. Flacco gets a favorable matchup against Jacksonville, a team that has allowed the most fantasy points to opposing QBs this season and the second most passing yards. Although Flacco doesn't provide the same ceiling as some other potential streaming options, he provides a very safe floor going up against Jacksonville's defense. He is the QB23 in our staff rankings this week.
Oct 5, 2024 4:45 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (abdomen, oblique) is in pads and practicing for the third time this week on Friday. However, The Athletic's James Boyd reports that veteran Joe Flacco is taking most, if not all, of the first-team repetitions in practice as Richardson stands behind Flacco to watch him throw. Richardson was relieved by Flacco in the Week 4 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers and was limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday. The 22-year-old's injury isn't believed to be serious, but perhaps they let Flacco make the Week 5 start against the division-rival Jacksonville Jaguars this Sunday. Either way, Richardson has fallen to low-end QB1/high-end QB2 territory after a disappointing start to his sophomore season in which he leads the league with six interceptions thrown. Check back for Richardson's final Week 5 status going into Sunday's game. The Colts will also be without star running back Jonathan Taylor (ankle) this week.
Oct 4, 2024 1:31 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Joe Flacco completed 16 of his 26 passes for 168 yards and two touchdowns in the team's 27-24 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Flacco was put into the game in the first quarter after starting QB Anthony Richardson (hip) was ruled out due to injury. Flacco was productive in the game, finding Josh Downs for a four-yard touchdown grab in the first quarter and then hitting tight end Alec Ogletree on a 15-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter to help put it away for Indy. Recent reports suggest that Richardson is unlikely to miss additional time, likely putting Flacco back on the bench in the team's Week 5 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Richardson fantasy managers, or managers who regularly stream QBs should keep a close eye on the situation in the coming days if Richardson is a no go in Week 5.
Sep 30, 2024 1:06 AM EST
Former Cleveland Browns quarterback and NFL Comeback Player of the Year winner Joe Flacco reached an agreement with the Indianapolis Colts on Wednesday on a one-year deal worth up to $8.7 million, including $4.5 million guaranteed, according to sources. Flacco came off his couch to unexpectedly lead the Browns to the postseason in 2023, ultimately finishing with 1,616 passing yards, 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions in five starts during the regular season. The 39-year-old veteran will now head to Indy to replace Gardner Minshew as the primary backup for young signal-caller Anthony Richardson, who saw his rookie season come to an end early last year due to a shoulder injury. Given Richardson's propensity to run with the ball, another injury in 2024 could force Flacco back into the spotlight.
Mar 13, 2024 7:42 PM EST
Quarterback Joe Flacco, who won the 2023 NFL Comeback Player of the Year with the Cleveland Browns, wants to return to the team, according to a league source. The two sides met regarding the possibility of a reunion at the NFL scouting combine last week. Flacco will become an unrestricted free agent on Wednesday, March 13, and can sign with any team at that time. If he stays in Cleveland, he'd undoubtedly be the backup to Deshaun Watson. After leading the Browns to the postseason in 2023, teams probably won't strictly be considering him as an emergency option in 2024, but it remains to be seen if he'd get a chance to compete for a starting gig outside of Cleveland. The 39-year-old defied all expectations last year with Cleveland, and although it was a cool story, it's unlikely to repeat itself again in 2024.
Mar 5, 2024 5:51 PM EST
Cleveland Browns impending free-agent quarterback Joe Flacco made an improbable run late in the season to earn the NFL's Comeback Player of the Year award while taking the team to the postseason, but he's almost definitely moving on this offseason, according to The Athletic's Zac Jackson. Deshaun Watson will be returning from his shoulder injury as the starter under center in 2024, and while last year was a disappointment in his second year in Cleveland, he did have some big moments as well. In five regular season games, Flacco threw for 1,616 yards, 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions for the Browns after many thought his career was essentially over. The performance should land him a backup role somewhere in 2024, but it's unlikely to be in Cleveland.
Feb 15, 2024 2:14 PM EST
Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco, who is a Comeback Player of the Year finalist, intends to play next season in the NFL. Flacco is an impending free agent and will most likely have to settle for a backup role. However, the 39-year-old proved that he can still lead an offense after taking over under center in Cleveland in Week 13 and leading the team to a playoff berth in the absence of Deshaun Watson (shoulder). The Browns came up short in the wild-card round against the Houston Texans, but Flacco surpassed expectations, throwing for 1,616 yards, 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions in five starts to close out the year. It's possible the Browns re-sign Flacco to serve as insurance for Watson, but either way, Flacco isn't going to be on the fantasy radar to begin the 2024 season.
Jan 31, 2024 12:23 PM EST
During a Monday media availability, Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry said the team is open to bringing Joe Flacco back for the 2024 season. The 39-year-old signed with Cleveland's practice squad in late November following Deshaun Watson's season-ending shoulder injury. Quarterbacks P.J. Walker and Dorian Thompson-Robinson struggled, so Flacco was brought in as veteran competition. Flacco started five regular season games this year, winning four of them while throwing for 1,616 yards, 13 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. He struggled in the AFC Wild Card loss to the Houston Texans, throwing two pick-sixes. However, he showed he can still lead an offense. "We'd absolutely love to have Joe back, he's a good quarterback," Berry said. "I guess maybe a little bit similar to Jacoby (Brissett) last year. It depends, right? I want to bring all of our good players back, but there are constraints to that. Would have no problem having Joe back." It sounds like Flacco would be Watson's backup in 2024 if he's retained, but he'd be worth rostering in two-QB or Superflex leagues given Watson's recent slew of injury concerns.
Jan 22, 2024 2:39 PM EST
Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco completed 34 of his 46 passes for 307 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions while adding three carries for 13 yards in a 45-14 loss to the Houston Texans in the first round of the playoffs on Saturday. Flacco's final stat line doesn't look too bad but both of his interceptions were momentum killers. The veteran quarterback threw pick-sixes on back-to-back possessions in the third quarter, turning a 24-14 deficit into a 38-14 deficit. Flacco turned in some magical moments in his late-season tenure as Cleveland's starting quarterback but it is safe to assume that Deshaun Watson will be back as the team's starter in the 2024 season. A pending free-agent, Flacco could remain in Cleveland as a backup or try to catch on as a bridge option somewhere else this offseason.
Jan 14, 2024 7:09 AM EST