As expected, the Indianapolis Colts were one of the most active teams at the trade deadline, though not for the reasons the fans would've hoped. They were already depleted, and their offense is now even more underwhelming.
That said, sometimes a roster shake-up is just what a team needs to get out of a slump. The guys left in the building might not be as prominent, but they might be hungrier to prove their worth and earn a spot.
Considering that, and with the Miami Dolphins set to start Kyle McCord in Week 10, the Colts actually have a legitimate chance to bounce back and get their third win of the season. Notably, these four players may have plenty to do with that.
4 Indianapolis Colts players who will stand out in Week 10
Deion Burks
Deion Burks has barely played this season, but now that the Colts' wide receiver corps is even thinner, Shane Steichen will have no choice but to give the rookie a chance to show what he's got. He's explosive and can be the team's new vertical threat.
Daniel Jones has struggled mightily without Alec Pierce this season. He needs a downfield target to open things up for him in the short and intermediate areas of the field, and Burks might as well be that guy.
Ashton Dulin
Unsurprisingly, another wide receiver makes the cut here. Before they signed Keenan Allen and Pierce made his brief cameo, Ashton Dulin had been the talk of the hour in training camp. He was the leading candidate to take the WR3 role.
So, now that Allen and Josh Downs are gone, and with Pierce still out with an injury, it's only natural that he will reclaim that spot. He's made most of his money off special teams, and he's a physical blocker who can leave defenders in the dust with his speed.
CJ Allen
CJ Allen's career got off to a worrisome start. Even the most optimistic fans started second-guessing him after watching him look overwhelmed, slow, and lost early on in the season, but he's finally turning the corner.
Who would've thought? As it turns out, the rookie second-round pick just needed some patience and more playing time to start showing flashes. Giving up on a player a quarter into his rookie season has rarely been the right approach, and Allen is clearly trending in the right direction.
Seth McGowan
The Colts didn't trade Jonathan Taylor, but they're reducing his workload. With the playoffs pretty much out of reach, there's no need to risk injury or put him in harm's way, so Seth McGowan should get a more even share of the workload going forward.
Also, Jeff Hafley's defense is physical and gritty. Taylor has struggled with ball security this season, and McGowan gives the team a hard-hitting guy between the tackles who might be better suited for this particular matchup.
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