The Colts expect Hines to catch 60 or more passes this season, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Teams often try to raise a player's real-life trade value by exaggerating expectations, but in this case, the Colts seemingly want to pump up Hines' fantasy ADP. Head coach Frank Reich said in May that he would pick Hines if he were playing in a fantasy league this year, a not-so-subtle hint that the team has more in mind for the 26-year-old than last year's 56 carries and 57 targets. A big increase in carries wouldn't make much sense unless Jonathan Taylor gets injured, but the Colts could throw more, substitute Taylor out more often on pass snaps and/or deploy more two-back formations. Both backs played all 17 games last season, with Taylor handling a 68.9 percent snap share, Hines at 31.2 percent and the team's other halfbacks combining for 6.9 percent. Additional playing time is a necessity for a big jump in production, as Hines is already close to maxed out in terms of his frequency of being targeted when on the field. He saw the ball on 30 percent of his routes each of the last three years -- a top-10 mark among all pass catchers on each occasion.

Hines saw some action in the slot during Wednesday's OTA practice as the Colts are working to increase his role without taking carries away from Jonathan Taylor, Zak Keefer of The Athletic reports. "If I was going to be in a fantasy league, I think I'd pick Nyheim this year," said head coach Frank Reich.

EDGE Analysis

Hines' catch and target totals last year while working with QB Carson Wentz represented career lows. His lack of usage has been blamed on Wentz not looking for Hines enough while holding out for longer completions, but it may also have been a byproduct of Taylor becoming the team's near every down running back. It's also worth remembering that Reich made similar proclamations about designing plays and making sure Hines was part of the game plan last summer. Still, Hines could be a value in fantasy leagues considering his disappointing numbers last season.

Hines is a candidate to benefit from the Colts' addition of quarterback Matt Ryan, Nate Atkins of the Indianapolis Star reports.

EDGE Analysis

Per Atkins, look for team to utilize Hines in more creative ways, which could include work out of the slot, a scenario that would boost the running back's touches while working behind top option Jonathan Taylor. Per JJ Stankevitz of the Colts' official site, the notion of Hines seeing more work out of the slot has been echoed by GM Chris Ballard, while coach Frank Reich has also suggested that the team will look to find ways to get the ball into the hands of the 2018 fourth-rounder more often. This past season, Hines logged 56 carries for 276 yards and two TDs in 17 games, while catching 40 of his 57 targets for 310 yards and a receiving score. The 25-year-old's catch and target totals last year while working with QB Carson Wentz represented career lows, but with Ryan at the helm, it's reasonable to expect Hines to see an uptick in both categories, and with that, increased PPR utility in 2022.

Hines rushed 56 times for 276 yards and two touchdowns while catching 40 of 57 targets for 310 yards and a touchdown during the 2021 campaign.

EDGE Analysis

Hines was in a relatively even timeshare with Jonathan Taylor across the first few weeks of the season, but Taylor established himself as the clear lead back later in the year. However, Hines still played in every game and was on the field for double-digit offensive snaps in all but one of his appearances. He remains under contract with the Colts for two more years and could continue to see playing time in a reserve role during the 2022 campaign, but Taylor will remain the clear No. 1 back for Indianapolis.

Hines had two carries for four yards and four receptions for 14 yards on four targets in Sunday's 23-20 loss to Las Vegas.

EDGE Analysis

Hines had the most touches he's had in three games, and it's just the second time he's had six or more since Week 9. That says more about how little Hines has been used in the second half of the season than any change in his workload. Hines will continue to have a minimal workload as long as Jonathan Taylor remains healthy.

Hines recorded three carries for 11 yards, one catch (on one target) for seven yards and one kick return for 16 yards during Saturday's 22-16 win at Arizona.

EDGE Analysis

Per usual, Jonathan Taylor dominated the Colts backfield, compiling 27 carries and going without a catch on two targets. In 13 contests prior to the team's bye week, Hines averaged 6.4 touches per game, but he's totaled just five touches in two outings since then. Considering the negligible recent workload, it's tough to rely on much, if any, production from Hines during the stretch run of the season.

Hines caught one of two targets for a six-yard touchdown in Saturday's 27-17 win over the Patriots.

EDGE Analysis

He opened the scoring late in the first quarter on a trick play by the Colts, as Jonathan Taylor took a direct snap and handed it to Carson Wentz, who then shoveled it to Hines to take into the end zone behind a convoy of blockers that included Taylor. Unfortunately for Hines, it was his only touch of the night as Indy built a 17-0 lead by halftime and then leaned on Taylor to kill the clock. The TD was Hines' third of the season but his first receiving score, and given his diminished role in the offense, he'll remain a touchdown-dependent fantasy option in Week 16 against the Cardinals.

Hines rushed three times for 24 yards and caught three of four targets for 32 yards in Sunday's 31-0 win over the Texans.

EDGE Analysis

Hines was efficient with his six touches, which included a game-long catch of 24 yards. That play helped him finish second on the Colts in receiving, but he watched fellow tailback Deon Jackson score a three-yard touchdown to end the game, missing out on an easy opportunity to add to his output. The versatile Hines now enters the bye week with difficult matchups against the Patriots and Cardinals awaiting once the Colts return to action.

Hines recorded one carry for three yards while hauling in three of four targets for 26 yards in Sunday's 38-31 loss to the Buccaneers.

EDGE Analysis

Although Hines' 25 offensive snaps Sunday marked his highest snap count since Week 9, he was unable to generate significant production against the stingy Tampa Bay defense. The 25-year-old topped 100 yards from scrimmage against the Jets in Week 9 but has had just seven carries for 46 yards while securing five of eight targets for 43 yards since then. The Colts' rushing attack has a more favorable matchup against Houston next week, but Hines' fantasy upside remains limited as long as Jonathan Taylor is healthy.

Hines had four carries for 31 yards in Sunday's win at Buffalo.

EDGE Analysis

Hines played just 13 snaps on offense as he's had a smaller role in the offense then last season with Jonathan Taylor continuing to get more carries (32 on Sunday). Hines may have a week where he figures into the game plan as he did in Week 9 (74 yards rushing), but it's hard to see those coming and he otherwise isn't a major factor if Taylor is healthy.