Dolphins HC Adam Gase said he'd ideally like to get RB Kenyan Drake "anywhere from 15-20 carries and 6-8 targets" per game. Even the low end of those ranges would put Drake around 300 total touches. The actual numbers are less important than the fact that it sounds like Gase is ready to make Drake the clear lead back. ESPN's Cameron Wolfe expects RB Frank Gore to mix in in short-yardage and goal-line situations. That'd ding Drake's TD upside. But 15-20 touches per game would give him a shot at RB1 production. He's looked excellent this preseason, averaging 6.8 yards per carry and 9.4 yards per catch.

The Dolphins released their 1st "unofficial" depth chart Sunday, which included listing Frank Gore and Kenyan Drake as co-starters at HB. It's not a surprising move but indicates how important Miami coaches want the veteran back to be. We're still betting on Drake leading the workload and backfield receiving, but it'll be interesting to see exactly how the Dolphins split touches between them.

The Dolphins added Arizona State RB Kalen Ballage in the 4th round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Ballage certainly looks the part. He goes 6’2, 228 pounds with 4.4 speed and an 85th percentile SPARQ score. But neither the tape nor the production match that scintillating size-athleticism combination. Ballage struggles to make defenders miss and mustered just 4.4 yards per carry over his 4-year college career. He never even led his Arizona State backfield in carries. On the plus side, Ballage has flashed plus pass-catching ability, registering a 44-469-1 receiving line back in 2016. He’s a boom/bust prospect. Ballage joins Kenyan Drake and Frank Gore in Miami’s backfield.

The Dolphins have signed RB Frank Gore to a 1-year deal, according to insider Armando Salguero. It's a homecoming for Gore, who played his college ball at The U. The soon-to-be 35-year-old is on his last legs now, averaging less than 4.0 yards per carry in 3 straight seasons. He figures to be more of a veteran presence in Miami than a threat to Kenyan Drake's lead role. Consider it good news for Drake's 2018 fantasy value if this is all the Fins add to the backfield.

Colts GM Chris Ballard officially ruled out QB Andrew Luck (shoulder) for this Sunday's opener against the Rams. "He's in the training phase right now," Ballard added. "Mentally, he's in the best place he's been." It's been clear for a while now that Luck wouldn't be ready for the opener. Getting ruled out so early in the week is a reminder that he's uncertain for Week 2 and beyond. QB Scott Tolzien will start vs. the Rams. He's not a fantasy option and lowers the fantasy ceiling on all of Indianapolis' skill-position guys.

The Colts selected RB Marlon Mack in the 4th round of the 2017 NFL Draft. We’re a bit surprised they didn’t add a back sooner, but they got good value here. Mack flashed big time acceleration and speed at South Florida, where he racked up 3,609 yards on a 6.2 per-carry average over the past 3 years. He ran a mediocre 4.50-second 40 at the Combine but put his explosion on display with an 89th percentile score in the broad jump. Mack needs to add some discipline to his game but certainly has the tools to succeed at the next level. He’ll learn a lot from veteran Frank Gore.

Colts RB Frank Gore totaled 74 yards and a score in Sunday's loss to the Texans. Most of that damage -- 33 yards and the TD -- came in the passing game. Gore took a screen pass and weaved through traffic for an 18-yard score in the 3rd quarter. He fared fine on the ground, averaging 4.1 yards per carry. But the Colts only fed him 10 times in a game they trailed for most of. Gore has been steady for fantasy owners all season, posting 11+ PPR points in 10 of 13 games. He travels to Minnesota next week to face a Vikings team that's allowed 4.3 yards per carry to RBs over the last 6 games.

The Colts release RB Stevan Ridley, less than a week after signing him. He's still only 27 years old, but his career appears to be on the ropes. Indy now has Robert Turbin, Josh Ferguson and Jordan Todman behind starter Frank Gore.

The Colts have signed RB Stevan Ridley, who was recently cut by the Lions. The 27-year-old couldn't beat out Zach Zenner, George Winn or Dwayne Washington in Detroit, which says a lot about his ability at this point. Indy's RB corps behind starter Frank Gore is even weaker, though, so Ridley has a shot to win the backup job. He, Robert Turbin, Josh Ferguson and Jordan Todman all remain undraftable for now.

As expected, new Colts OC Rob Chudzinski plans to manage the workload of RB Frank Gore. “I don’t like the word ‘pitch count,’ ” Chudzinski said. “But I think the word is that we have to be smart in making sure that we have a rotation that keeps (Gore) fresh and effective throughout the course of the season. What that is in numbers isn’t as important. I think, as a coach, you assess that as you’re going through the course of the season.” Gore handled a hefty 294 touches last year, a number he’s highly unlikely to hit in 2016. But Indy still lacks depth behind him, so the veteran shouldn’t hurt for 15+ touches per week.

Colts HC Chuck Pagano didn't exactly have encouraging words Monday night for anyone who owns RB Frank Gore in fantasy: “He’s beat to crap. He’s like everybody else. He took some shots (against the Buccaneers). But he’s a warrior. He’s a tough son of a gun and he finds a way to get himself right by Sunday and he’ll be right come Sunday night (at Pittsburgh) and we’re going to need him.” This seems like a bit more than the usual "everyone's hurt by this point in the season" stuff, especially when you consider that Gore has finished 4 straight games with less than 3.3 yards per carry. That included season-low efficiency in his 34-yard Week 11 at Atlanta and then a new low with 24 yards on 19 carries against the Bucs on Sunday. Gore will remain the feature back in Indy, which keeps him in fantasy-starter territory amid a tattered RB landscape. But his ceiling looks a lot lower now than it did just a few weeks ago. And if Ben Roethlisberger's ready for Sunday night's game in Pittsburgh, then we'd bet on game flow working against the Colts running the ball as well.

Colts RB Frank Gore (ankle) is active for today’s game against the Bucs. He put in full practices on Thursday and Friday, so the ankle shouldn’t be a problem. Consider Gore a lower-end RB2 vs. a tough Tampa run defense.

Colts RB Frank Gore (ankle) is probable for this weekend’s game against the Bucs after putting in full practices on Thursday and Friday. It looks like he’s at or close to 100%. Gore is safe to keep in fantasy lineups, but he’s a lower-end RB2 vs. a Tampa defense allowing just 3.75 yards per carry to RBs.

Colts RB Frank Gore (ankle) returned to a full practice on Thursday.  He'll be fine for this weekend's game against the Bucs.  Consider Gore a low-end RB2 vs. a Tampa defense yielding just 3.75 yards per carry.

Colts RB Frank Gore did not practice on Wednesday.  He was announced with a quad injury during last week's game against the Falcons but told reporters afterward that it was a knee issue.  We'll see what he's listed with on the official injury report.  Gore returned to that Atlanta game, though, so we're tentatively expecting him to be ready for this Sunday's tilt with the Bucs.

The Colts announced on Tuesday that QB Andrew Luck will be sidelined 2-6 weeks with abdominal injuries suffered in last week's win over the Broncos.  Luck was hurt on a scramble early in the 4th quarter, according to HC Chuck Pagano.  He finished out the game but was still in pain on Monday afternoon.  He underwent tests that revealed a kidney laceration and a partial tear of an abdominal muscle.  “It’s way too early to guess how long Andrew will be out,” Pagano said. “We’re going to keep listening to the doctors and evaluating his progress on a week by week basis."  The Colts have a Week 10 bye, so it's possible that Luck misses just 1 game.  The longer end of the timeline would knock him out until Week 16.  Fantasy owners should hang on to him if possible while we wait for a more concrete timetable for return.  QB Matt Hasselbeck will start for however long Luck is out.  The 40-year-old was solid in 2 starts earlier this year, completing 63.2% of his passes with 3 TDs and 0 INTs.  But Hasselbeck is still a downgrade for Indy's offense.

The Colts have fired OC Pep Hamilton.  He's the guy who led Indy to a top-6 ranking in total yards and points last year, so it's tough to believe he's been the problem this season.  Hamilton will be replaced by OC Rob Chudzinski, who failed as Browns HC in 2013 but fared well as Panthers OC in 2011 and 2012.  Chudzinski has been on the Colts staff for the past 2 years, so don't expect a major change in play-calling going forward.  QB Andrew Luck will need to play better for this offense to get going.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Colts QB Andrew Luck (shoulder) will not play tonight against the Texans.  It's unclear if he even tried to throw today.  He'll have 10 days to get ready for Week 6, but we can't consider him a lock for that one.  QB Matt Hasselbeck gets another start tonight after holding his own 4 days ago.  But the 40-year-old didn't throw at all this week and was actually in the hospital until 2 am on Tuesday with a virus.  Avoid Hasselbeck in fantasy lineups.  WRs T.Y. Hilton and Donte Moncrief are shaky starters.  Expect a heavy dose of RB Frank Gore.

Colts RB Frank Gore returned to a full practice on Tuesday.  It confirms that Monday was just a rest day for the veteran.  Gore will be ready for his usual workload against the Texans on Thursday night.  He'd benefit from the return of QB Andrew Luck.

Colts RB Frank Gore was held out of Monday's practice and listed with a foot injury.  HC Chuck Pagano labeled him "day-to-day."  Gore finished out Sunday's OT win over the Jaguars, so this looks like just a veteran's day off.  Check back tomorrow for another update.