Nyheim Hines

The Colts are supposed to get Taylor back this week, which is something they seem to need more than they know. With him out, Hines and Jordan Wilkins combined for just 51 yards on 16 carries against the Titans, though it didn't help they were without starting center Ryan Kelly (who they hope to get back this week). Fun fact: Hines doesn't have a single carry of 15-plus yards this year. There's not a running back who's seen as many carries as him (61) without one. Taylor should be happy to return to this matchup against the Texans, as its' arguably the best in the league for his skill set. We know there are a lot of fantasy points up for grabs against the Texans, right? Well, of the production they've allowed to running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends, we've watched running backs account for 37.3 percent of it, which is the third-highest mark in the league. They've now allowed a league-high 1,564 yards on the ground to running backs, which is more than 23 teams have allowed to running backs as a whole (receiving included). When you look at strictly production on the ground, the Texans have allowed a league-high 240.4 fantasy points. No other team has allowed more than 215.8 of them. It's not the competition that's made them look bad, either. Running backs average 6.3 more half-PPR points per game against the Texans than they do versus their season average; that ranks as the second-most in the league. All-in-all, the Texans have faced more weighted volume to running backs than any other team in the league. That's led to them allowing a league-high 185.7 total yards per game to the position. The average top-24 running back performance in 2019 required 11.5 PPR points. That's a number that a league-high 14 running backs have hit against the Texans. This is your reminder that they've played just 11 games. Taylor is never a full 100 percent trust under Frank Reich, but he should be trusted enough to be played as a low-end RB2 with upside, because the last time we saw him on the field, he netted a massive 26 touches. Let's just hope Jacoby Brissett getting a few goal-line touches was due to Taylor being out, and not a regular thing moving forward. Production is there through the air as well for running backs in this matchup, as seven different backs have totaled 35-plus receiving yards, which bodes well for Hines' role. He should remain in the RB3 conversation, particularly in PPR formats.

Nyheim Hines catches eight passes out of the backfield

Nyheim Hines rushed 10 times for 29 yards and caught eight passes for 66 additional yards on Sunday as the Colts lost to the Titans by a 45-26 score in Week 12 action.

Fantasy Impact

Hines was the feature back on Sunday with rookie Jonathan Taylor out after being placed on the COVID-19 list. Hines did not do much on the ground but made an impact in the passing game. If Taylor is out in Week 13 as well, Hines is worth starting in PPR fantasy leagues.