The Indianapolis Colts head into Week 7 needing something to tilt the day their way. Even in victory, they have not looked like a team putting together clean, convincing football, and the pressure is only sharper now with general manager Chris Ballard no longer in the picture. The message from ownership is plain enough: get it done.
That will not be easy against the Minnesota Vikings, who are coming off a home loss to the Tennessee Titans that they could not afford. That kind of stumble puts them on the ropes, and it leaves both teams staring at a game that could demand a little creativity from Shane Steichen.
If the Colts are going to pull it off, they may need contributions from some unexpected places. Three names stand out as possible difference-makers in a matchup that could force Indianapolis to improvise.
Deion Burks is one of them. The Keenan Allen experiment has not delivered much for Indianapolis, and he does not look like the player he once was.
With Tyler Warren dealing with injuries and possibly unavailable, Josh Downs having trouble as the top target, and no update yet on Alec Pierce, the Colts need someone who can stretch the field. Burks brings the kind of speed and explosiveness that could at least give Indianapolis a vertical element.
Cam Taylor-Britt is another player who could matter more than expected. He was a major part of the Titans’ comeback, and his night got ugly when Carnell Tate beat him for his first career touchdown.
Once Sauce Gardner went down with a calf injury, the momentum swung hard. Still, Lou Anarumo may stick with him, and Taylor-Britt has a chance to answer back.
That task may not be as heavy as usual, either, since the Vikings average just 167 passing yards per game, which ranks fourth-fewest in the league.
Then there is Seth McGowan, a back who could help change the feel of the Colts’ offense. Jonathan Taylor remains the only clear bright spot, but he is also producing the least efficient numbers of his career.
Minnesota is tough in the trenches, so Indianapolis may need a more physical presence to help carry the load. McGowan has been growing into the offense little by little, and his willingness to take contact could help wear down the Vikings and create room for Taylor.
There is also the possibility that, with the season slipping away, the Colts begin to think of Taylor more as a trade chip than as a true workhorse.
In Other News...
Jonathan Taylor Knows What A 2-4 Colts Team Still Needs Most
With the Colts sitting at 2-4 and headed into a meeting with the Vikings, Jonathan Taylor is keeping the conversation where he wants it: on the field and on helping Indianapolis steady itself. The running back has been one of the teams bright spots early in the 2025 season, giving the offense a reliable centerpiece while the roster works to climb back into the mix.
Trade speculation can follow any productive player on a struggling team, but Taylor is not entertaining that noise as the season unfolds. He said his attention stays on winning with the Colts and doing right by the people around him, a stance that fits the urgency of a team trying to turn close attention into actual results. [Read more 🡒]
Anthony Richardson Puts Colts In Tough Spot With Off-Field Trouble
Anthony Richardsons latest off-field issue has put the Colts in an uncomfortable place as they try to keep their focus on football. The quarterback was involved in a traffic stop in Carmel, Indiana, and the team said it is gathering more information after learning of the situation.
The legal process now hangs over the next stretch for Richardson and the organization, with a bench trial set for January 4, 2027. For a Colts team trying to build around its young quarterback, the incident adds another layer of uncertainty at a position where stability matters most. [Read more 🡒]
Colts Get Encouraging Injury Shift Before Sundays Big Test
The injury picture around Sundays Colts-Vikings matchup brightened on Thursday, with both teams showing some encouraging movement in practice. Indianapolis had several players move up from Wednesdays report, a useful sign at this stage of the week as the Colts continue getting ready for a high-profile test.
Minnesota also checked a positive box, with every Vikings player dealing with an injury taking a full practice after being limited the day before. For the Colts, the bigger takeaway is the healthier direction the roster is trending as game day approaches, even if the final availability picture is still coming into focus. [Read more 🡒]