The Indianapolis Colts (1-1) put together a pretty complete game in the 31-20 victory over the Houston Texans (0-2) in Week 2 at NRG Stadium.
Even though rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson exited the game after the first quarter due to a concussion, Shane Steichen’s offense kept rolling with Gardner Minshew under center. Meanwhile, the front seven collected 6.0 sacks and nine quarterback hits on Texans rookie C.J. Stroud.
Buy Colts TicketsWhen taking stock of a player’s performance, it’s best to be fluid. A player’s stock will fall and rise throughout the season so none of this is set in stone. However, it is important to take note of the narratives and storylines taking place as the campaign progresses.
A player’s stock can be impacted by factors such as their performance or the type of snaps they receive during the games.
Here’s a look at the stock report for the Colts following the Week 2 win:
Stock Up: G Will Fries
It was a strong performance from Fries in Week 2 as the third-year player enjoyed a bounce-back game following the opener. He was crucial in opening lanes as a run blocker while only allowing one pressure on 36 pass-blocking snaps. The entire offensive line played extremely well, but Fries deserves a shout-out for his efforts in the win.
Stock Down: CB Darrell Baker Jr.
Two weeks in a row now, Baker has been the weak link in the secondary. While he showed plenty of promise during the preseason, that hasn’t translated over to the regular season. The Texans made it a point to target Baker, doing so a whopping 13 times. That’s more than double any other Colts defender in Week 2. According to Pro Football Focus, Baker allowed eight receptions for 146 yards, one touchdown and a 125.8 passer rating. He also was credited with three missed tackles.
Stock Up: RB Zack Moss
Making his debut coming off a forearm injury he suffered early in training camp, the impact Moss brought in Week 2 was obvious. He took 18 carries for 88 rushing yards and a touchdown while catching all four of his targets for 19 receiving yards. He played 98% of the offensive snaps and handled 100% of the running back carries. Jonathan Taylor is on the PUP list for at least two more games so Moss should see a heavy workload in that span.
Stock Down: TE Mo Alie-Cox
This has more to do with Alie-Cox’s role than it does with his overall play. He was fine on his 23 snaps, but it’s clear he’s nothing more than the No. 2 tight end in the room. Alie-Cox ran just 10 routes, turning that into one reception on one target for 15 yards. It’s clear Kylen Granson is the more valuable asset and though rookie Will Mallory played only 11 snaps, he ran just three fewer routes than Alie-Cox. Again, Alie-Cox played well with the snaps he received but his stock fell a bit due to his reduced role, which might be better for the offense as a whole.
Stock Up: DE Samson Ebukam
Ebukam showed why the Colts went after him in free agency this offseason. His four total pressures were tied for the team lead with Kwity Paye and Dayo Odyeingbo, and they included a sack and a quarterback hit. Ebukam also made a major difference in the run game, setting a strong edge while being credited with two run stops and a tackle for loss.
Stock Up: TE Will Mallory
Making his debut after being a healthy scratch in the season opener, Mallory but his speed on display. Even though he played just 11 offensive snaps while running seven routes, the second-fewest on offense, Mallory made the most of his opportunities. His big play came on a 43-yard catch-and-run in which he was wide open on a corner route. He finished the day with 49 receiving yards, which were the second-most on the offensive side of the ball. It’s still a crowded tight end room, but Mallory continues to impress as a receiver.
Stock Up: QB Gardner Minshew
We have to give Minshew some love. The veteran stepped in when Anthony Richardson left due to a concussion, telling the rookie he’ll hold it down in his absence. He did that indeed, completing 19-of-23 passes for 171 yards, one touchdown and a 112.1 passer rating. The offense scored two touchdowns and a field goal on the six drives Minshew was leading the way. It’s nice to know the Colts finally have a steady backup to take over in the event of an injury.
