Colts Stock Report: Week 2 vs Vikings

The Indianapolis Colts went into Sunday’s game on the back of a humbling loss, having been beaten by the underdog Jacksonville Jaguars in week 1. The Colts came up against a strong team this week in the Minnesota Vikings who despite losing their Week 1 game still managed to put up 34 points. There were a lot of strong showings during the 28-11 win, and a few poor ones, as well.

Stock Up:

Colts lost Marlon Mack to a season ending achilles injury last week so had to start rookie Jonathan Taylor this Sunday. Taylor the team’s second round pick in the draft was superb. He ran hard and punished the Vikings run defense time after time. Jonathan Taylor produced 101 yards rushing on 26 carries averaging 3.9 yards per carry and a touchdown. Taylor looked unstoppable against the Vikings in his first start and even became the first Colts rookie to eclipse 100 yards in a game since Vick Ballard in 2012. The arrow is pointing way up for Taylor.

DeForest Buckner showed this Sunday exactly why the Colts traded a first round pick for him. He was nothing short of dominant against the Vikings in both the pass and the run. Buckner racked up 3 tackles and 1.5 sacks, one of which was a safety. Buckner needed to be the dominant defensive lineman the Colts hoped he would be and he showed just that. Its not a coincidence that with Buckner’s dominant performance against the Vikings saw the whole defense put on a dominant showing. Buckner needs to show his dominance week in week out now which will help the defense massively.

Jack Doyle joined fellow tight end Trey Burton being sidelined with an injury, so there was a void to fill at the starting tight end spot. Mo Allie-Cox did not start off his game well when he dropped and deflected a pass from Philip Rivers in the redzone up in the air leading to an interception. However, Allie-Cox put that error behind him quickly and was spectacular after. Allie-Cox produced 11 yards receiving on 6 catches. Allie-Cox more than stepped up in place of Doyle and proved he could fully handle the starting tight end role going forward if needed. The Colts have found a weapon in Allie-Cox.

Stock Down:

The Colts best wide receiver from week 1 lasted 2 snaps in week 2. Parris Campbell ran a jets sweep on the Colts first offensive series and was tackled by Vikings safety Harrison Smith injuring him on the play. Campbell had to be carted off the field and after the game was said to have injured his knee ligaments. It was confirmed today that Campbell had sprained his knee ligaments and will be out indefinitely. This is a huge knock for Campbell and the Colts offense who was starting to have a breakout year after his injury plagued rookie year.

Another serious injury crushing a players stock occurred Sunday. Safety Malik Hooker tore his achilles in the first half of the game and is out for the season. Hooker was already in a crucial year with the Colts being in a contract year having his fifth year option declined. This injury knocking him out for the year all but sunk Hooker. Hooker could still be re-signed by the team but his first weeks performance and this injury being the last time the Colts see Hooker on the filed before free agency can’t be good for his chances.

Nyheim Hines was riding on a high after a great performance week 1 filling in for Marlon Mack however he came crashing back down in Week 2 after Taylor was named the Colts starter. Hines only saw 9 offensive snaps and only had the ball in his hands once compared to week 1 where he saw 39 snaps and the lions share of the carries. The Colts are more likely to mix up the carries going forward but Hines stock took a deep dive after week 1.