Offensive Adjustments Post-Injury Strategy for the Indianapolis Colts

Injuries are an unavoidable part of the NFL, but the Indianapolis Colts have turned adversity into a test of their offensive resilience. After losing starting quarterback Anthony Richardson to a sprained AC joint in Week 10 and backup running back Zack Moss to a knee injury the following week, the Colts’ coaching staff quickly pivoted to a series of targeted adjustments—from simplifying the playbook to leaning on veteran talent—to keep their playoff push on track. Offensive Adjustments Post-Injury Strategy for the Indianapolis Colts isn’t just about filling gaps; it’s about reimagining how the offense operates, leveraging remaining strengths (like All-Pro running back Jonathan Taylor and a sturdy offensive line) and minimizing weaknesses. For a team fighting to stay in the AFC South race, these adjustments aren’t just short-term fixes—they’re a blueprint for maintaining competitiveness when key playmakers are sidelined.

Offensive Adjustments Post-Injury Strategy for the Indianapolis Colts begins with the most critical shift: quarterback playbook simplification after Richardson’s injury. With veteran Gardner Minshew stepping into the starting role, the Colts scaled back their complex read-option and RPO (run-pass option) packages—schemes tailored to Richardson’s dual-threat ability—and focused on Minshew’s strengths: quick decision-making, accurate short passing, and command of timing routes. “Gardner thrives when we give him clear, pre-snap reads and let him work in rhythm,” said Colts offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter. “We cut down the playbook by about 30%—removing some of the more dynamic run-option plays—and added more quick slants, outs, and screen passes to get the ball out of his hands fast.” The adjustment paid off in Week 11: Minshew completed 24 of 32 passes for 278 yards and two touchdowns, with zero interceptions, leading the Colts to a 24-17 win over the Tennessee Titans. Minshew also leaned on his chemistry with wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., who saw 12 targets (catching 9 for 115 yards), a testament to the Colts’ focus on pairing the QB with his most reliable weapons.

Offensive Adjustments Post-Injury Strategy for the Indianapolis Colts continues with running game adaptations after Moss’ injury, which left Taylor as the only healthy running back on the roster. Instead of overworking Taylor (who already averages 18 carries per game), the Colts expanded their “11-personnel” (1 RB, 1 TE, 3 WRs) packages and integrated more “passing-down backs” into the game plan—using wide receiver Alec Pierce and tight end Kylen Granson in jet sweeps and short dump-offs to relieve Taylor’s workload. “We can’t put all the pressure on Jonathan—he’s our engine, and we need to keep him fresh,” Cooter explained. “By using Pierce and Granson in run-like plays, we keep defenses guessing while giving Taylor breathers.” The Colts also adjusted their offensive line’s blocking scheme, shifting from zone-blocking (which relies on linemen moving in sync to create lanes) to more power-blocking (where linemen engage defenders head-on) to complement Taylor’s downhill running style. In Week 12, Taylor rushed for 112 yards on 22 carries (5.1 YPC) and scored a touchdown, while Pierce added 35 yards on two jet sweeps—proving the running game could remain effective even without Moss.

Offensive Adjustments Post-Injury Strategy for the Indianapolis Colts includes a focus on offensive line protection tweaks to support Minshew, who lacks Richardson’s ability to escape pressure. With Minshew in the lineup, the Colts increased their use of “max protection” (keeping an extra tight end or running back in to block) on passing downs, reducing the risk of sacks and giving Minshew more time to find open receivers. They also adjusted the line’s pass-blocking assignments, having left guard Quenton Nelson—one of the league’s best pass-blocking guards—shift to the right side in certain formations to help right tackle Braden Smith, who had been struggling with a minor ankle injury. “Minshew isn’t going to scramble for 10 yards if the pocket collapses, so our line’s job is to keep that pocket clean,” said Colts offensive line coach Chris Strausser. For the Indianapolis Colts, the adjustment was critical: after allowing 3 sacks in Richardson’s final start (Week 10), the line gave up just 1 sack in Minshew’s first two starts, helping the offense maintain possession and control the clock. “Max protection doesn’t mean we’re playing it safe—it means we’re putting Gardner in a position to succeed,” Strausser added.

Offensive Adjustments Post-Injury Strategy for the Indianapolis Colts delves into red-zone adaptations, a phase where the offense had relied heavily on Richardson’s ability to extend plays and score with his legs. Without Richardson’s mobility, the Colts shifted to a more “methodical” red-zone approach: using Taylor in goal-line carries (he’s scored 5 red-zone touchdowns this season), running tight end fade routes to Granson (who has 3 red-zone TDs), and designing quick slants to Pittman Jr. near the end zone. “We used to let Anthony ad-lib in the red zone—he’d extend plays and find open guys—but with Gardner, we need more structure,” Cooter said. “Every red-zone play now has a clear primary and secondary option, so Gardner doesn’t have to make split-second decisions under pressure.” The Indianapolis Colts saw immediate results: in Week 11 and 12, they scored touchdowns on 5 of 7 red-zone trips (71ficiency), up from their season average of 58fore the injuries. Granson, in particular, emerged as a red-zone threat, catching two touchdowns in those two games—proof that the Colts could retool their scoring strategy without Richardson.

Offensive Adjustments Post-Injury Strategy for the Indianapolis Colts wraps up with a focus on in-game flexibility—a key part of the coaching staff’s strategy to adapt to unexpected challenges. Instead of locking into a pre-game plan, Cooter and head coach Shane Steichen now use halftime adjustments to tweak the offense based on how the defense is responding. For example, in Week 12, the Colts noticed the Jacksonville Jaguars were keying on Taylor in the run game, so they shifted to more passing plays in the second half—Minshew completed 10 of 12 passes for 120 yards in the third and fourth quarters, leading two scoring drives to seal a 20-17 win. “Injuries force you to be flexible—you can’t stick to a plan that’s not working,” Steichen said. For the Indianapolis Colts, this flexibility has been just as important as the pre-game adjustments: it allows the offense to capitalize on defenses’ weaknesses while hiding its own. As Minshew put it, “The coaches have done a great job of putting us in positions to win—they’re not trying to force the old playbook; they’re building something new around what we do well.” In the end, the Colts’ post-injury strategy isn’t just about surviving without key players—it’s about thriving by focusing on their remaining strengths, proving that a well-coached offense can overcome adversity.