Ashton

Dulin

Dulin did say he was feeling good and is at the point in his rehab process where he is ready to return to the field. The former UDFA went for 207 receiving yards and one score in 2022. He also contributed 187 special teams reps. The two-way usage earned him a two-year contract in the offseason. Dulin tore his ACL in training camp last year and missed the 2023 season. As long as it was a clean tear, he should be ready for the start of the 2024 season. Dulin’s days as a dynasty stash are long gone, but he should contribute as a receiver wideout and a special teamer in the upcoming season.

Dulin was signed to a two-year contract worth up to $9.2 million this offseason. The 26-year-old vet totaled 15 receptions for 207 yards and one touchdown last season and was competing for a backup receiver role in camp. It’s a tough break for Dulin, who entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2019 and was once considered a potential dynasty sleeper by fantasy managers.

Dulin, 25, was an interesting prospect with a breakout age of 18 and a 95th percentile speed score. The Colts used him both in the slot and on the outside during his limited playing time last year. He had a 31.5 percent target share over the season’s first two games in 2022 as the team struggled with wideout injuries. Dulin could be an interesting name to watch if the Colts don’t add much receiver help in the draft.

Entering free agency off one of the most-involved seasons of his career, Dulin peaked in Week 2 with a 5/79 line as the Colts desperately tried to find ways to get Matt Ryan to complete some passes. Dulin fits the ideal dimensions of the power slot role, but hasn’t gotten much of a chance in the starting lineup. He’ll be a depth add somewhere, perhaps back in Indianapolis if Chris Ballard is indeed retained as general manager.

This comes as no surprise after Dulin took a helmet to helmet hit from Chargers safety Derwin James last Monday night. The 25-year-old will finish the season with a 15/207/1 line on 22 targets if he doesn’t return in Week 18.

Dulin’s first target of the game came at a price as Derwin James came at him like a missile. James delivered a helmet to helmet hit and was immediately ejected from the game. Dulin went to the locker room and has been ruled out with a concussion.

James delivered a bruising hit on Dulin just a play after he was called for a face mask penalty. The contact was helmet to helmet and immediately warranted a 15-yard penalty. Dulin went into the locker room and James went into the blue medical tent. James’ day ends with three tackles and an interception.

Dulin got Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs on a double move to catch an easy pitch-and-catch touchdown late in the first quarter before retreating to the bench for most of the remainder of the game. The touchdown was nice, but Dulin would likely need an injury to one of the three wide receivers ahead of him on the depth chart before he sees meaningful snaps and usage in a typically low pass volume offense. Fantasy managers can safely leave Dulin on the waiver wire for the fantasy playoffs.

Dulin will return as the Colts’ No. 4 wideout behind Michael Pittman, Alec Pierce, and Parris Campbell. Indy placed LB Shaquille Leonard (back) on IR to clear a spot for Dulin and elevated RB Jordan Wilkins and TE Nikola Kalinic from the practice squad in corresponding moves.

The team will now have three weeks in which to activate Dulin to the 53-player roster. Dulin has been out since Week 5 with a foot injury following a surprising start to the season. He had 11 receptions in the Colts’ first four games despite limited snaps and pass routes. Dulin will likely return as the Colts’ No. 4 wideout behind Michael Pittman, Alec Pierce, and Parris Campbell.