Ballard had 27 carries for 78 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's win over Houston. He also had two receptions for nine yards.

Analysis: Ballard got all but one touch from a running back last week. Delone Carter could return for the playoffs, but even then Ballard would get the vast majority of touches.

Ballard had 20 carries for 69 yards Sunday against the Chiefs.

Analysis: Not a great performance by any means, although it should be noted that Ballard was the only running back to record a carry Sunday. He's got a tough matchup next week against the Texans, who will earn a first round bye in the playoffs with a win over the Colts. However, he ran for 105 yards on 18 carries the last time they played, so another solid performance isn't completely out of the question.

Ballard had 18 carries for 105 yards Sunday against the Texans.

Analysis: It could have been better for Ballard, but he had a goal-line carry vultured by Mewelde Moore, only to have Moore fumble on the one-yard line. Ballard has now recorded at least 100 total yards in back-to-back games and he'll look to continue his streak in Week 16 against the Chiefs.

With Donald Brown on IR and Delone Carter possibly out 2-3 weeks, Ballard is in line for an expanded workload down the stretch, Mike Chappell of the Indianapolis Star reports.

Analysis: Coach Bruce Arians suggested that he'll roll Ballard out (starting Sunday against the Texans) as much as the running back can take, which sets the stage for plenty of touches for the rookie as the fantasy playoffs unfold.

Ballard has 12 carries for 94 rushing yards and one catch on one target for 10 receiving yards Sunday against the Titans.

Analysis: A nice game for Ballard, who had only 12 rushing yards in the first half before turning it on in the second. Unfortunately, fantasy owners who are hoping for a Ballard breakout while Donald Brown sits likely won't get it next week against the Texans and their top-five defense against the run.

Ballard's teammate, Donald Brown, has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Titans, the Indianapolis Star reports.

Analysis: That development figures to result in added touches for Ballard on Sunday and the circumstantial evidence here indicates that Brown may miss more time beyond Week 14, given how quickly the Colts ruled him out this week.

Ballard had nine carries for 41 rushing yards and a touchdown, as well as three catches on four targets for 21 receiving yards Sunday against the Lions.

Analysis: Ballard's touchdown was his first rushing score of the season and second touchdown overall. He finished with three more carries than Donald Brown, who was forced out of Sunday's game with an ankle injury. If Brown is forced to miss any time, Ballard will once again be the lead back in Indianapolis.

Ballard is listed as the starter at running back Sunday against Detroit, the Indianapolis Star reports.

Analysis: Donald Brown had a healthy week of practice, so this may indicate Ballard will still get the larger part of the time share at running back.

Ballard has 13 carries for 41 rushing yards Sunday against the Bills.

Analysis: A muted performance for Ballard, who failed to catch a pass for the first time since Week 3. While he finished with double-digit carries for the sixth straight game, Donald Brown nabbed 10 carries himself. The Colts' backfield appears to be a timeshare right now, which is incredibly frustrating for fantasy owners. Ballard does have a slight lead over Brown but it's worth remembering that the Colts offense tends to move on the arm of Andrew Luck and not Ballard or Brown's legs.

Vick Ballard: Starting Sunday Over Donald Brown (Knee)

Ballard will start at running back over Donald Brown (knee) against Buffalo on Sunday, the Indianapolis Star reports.

Analysis: The development doesn't surprise us too much, as Ballard picked up 16 carries to Brown's four a week ago, even after Brown got the start. Be sure to get Ballard in your lineup against a Bills run defense ranked 31st in the NFL, allowing 153.3 yards per game.

Ballard had 16 carries for 72 rushing yards and one catch on one target for seven receiving yards Sunday against the Patriots.

Analysis: It was believed that Ballard would split carries out of the backfield with Donald Brown, but that didn't happen Sunday. Ballard finished with 12 more carries than Brown, but saw a goal-line touchdown poached by Delone Carter. The Colts' backfield is fairly unreliable right now, but it seems that Ballard is slightly ahead as it stands.

Ballard recorded 12 carries for 48 yards along with two catches for 11 yards in Thursday's win over the Jaguars.

Analysis: Ballard and Donald Brown (who had been iffy heading into Thursday's game) ended up splitting carries, with a slight edge to Brown in terms of volume (14 carries for 42 yards). Next up for the Colts in Week 11 are the Patriots, who have had much better luck stopping the run than the pass, with another Ballard/Brown workload split the likely outcome.

Ballard had 16 carries for 60 rushing yards and three catches on six targets for 38 receiving yards Sunday against the Dolphins.

Analysis: Ballard was expected to be in a time-share with Donald Brown but the latter finished with only one catch and no carries due to his knee injury. While Delone Carter finished with half as many carries as Ballard, it's still Ballard's backfield as long as Brown is unable to go. He's got an intriguing matchup next week against a Jaguars defense that was ranked 25th against the run heading into Week 9.

Ballard expected to carry the load

The Colts also downgraded running back Donald Brown to questionable on Saturday because of his knee problems. Brown is active, but may not play his usual big role. Tight end Coby Fleener is out for Indianapolis. FULL INJURY ROUNDUP

Analysis: Vick Ballard will carry the load, but temper expectations against the Dolphins 2nd ranked rush defense which has allowed just three scores this season.

Vick Ballard: Starting Sunday

Ballard will start at running back Sunday against Miami, NFL.com reports.

Analysis: However, with Donald Brown (knee) also suiting up in Week 9, Ballard will likely be involved in a timeshare at running back, which limits each back's fantasy impact against the Dolphins' second-ranked rush defense (82.0 yards allowed per game).

Colts heading towards timeshare at RB

In his Week 9 "Fantasy 101" analysis, fantasy expert Jason Smith notes, "Donald Brown returned from injury for the Colts, which takes Vick Ballard's value down as well. It looks like that backfield is headed for the dreaded time-share." READ: FANTASY 101

Analysis: Their value will be largely touchdown dependent, so temper expectations against the Dolphins third ranked rush defense which has allowed just three scores.

Though coach Bruce Arians indicated Wednesday that he plans to wait and see how the week goes before naming a starting running back, he suggested that Ballard and Donald Brown will play "equal amounts" Sunday against the Dolphins, George Bremer of the Herald Bulletin reports.

Analysis: Ballard, who was the starter in Week 8, had 55 rushing yards on 12 carries and one catch for 16 yards and a touchdown this past Sunday against the Titans. Meanwhile, Brown recorded 14 carries for 80 yards. In any case, it seems clear that Brown's return has not made Ballard irrelevant just yet, though both backs will face tough sledding Sunday against a stingy Miami run defense.

Ballard had 55 rushing yards on 12 carries and one catch for 16 yards and a touchdown Sunday against the Titans.

Analysis: Ballard's touchdown was a highlight plunge into the end zone during the overtime period that won the game for the Colts. However, despite getting the start Sunday, Donald Brown ended up with two more carries than Ballard. It's unclear whether Brown will immediately get his starting job back, but Ballard's play as of late at least warrants him a few touches in the weeks ahead.

Ballard will start Sunday against Tennessee, even though Donald Brown (knee) is active, the Indianapolis Star reports.

Analysis: It's not clear how many snaps Brown will get, but there's a significant risk that Ballard will see a reduced workload, despite remaining the starter.

Brown could return in Week 8

It looks like running back Donald Brown (knee) will be back for the Indianapolis Colts. He's questionable for the Colts' game against the Tennessee Titans, but he fully practiced Friday. FULL INJURY ROUNDUP

Analysis: For owners who were hoping to use Vic Ballard during the bye week, it looks like at minimum his load won't be as heavy as expected. He still makes for a decent flex play if you're in a bind, but lower your expectations.

Donald Brown (knee) was a full participant in Thursday's practice, which could mean Ballard won't start or get the bulk of carries this week against Tennessee.

Analysis: It's not clear yet how the Colts plan to use Brown this week. We'll need to see if Brown can make it through a full week of practice, but it looks like there's a decent chance Brown will be in the mix for playing time and limit Ballard's fantasy value.

Ballard earning stripes

In his Targets and Touches analysis, fantasy expert Jason Smith notes "Vick Ballard had 21 touches Sunday and more importantly, helped Indianapolis run out the clock against Cleveland. Ballard is a grinder who provides toughness, an element that the Colts need in the running game." READ: TARGETS AND TOUCHES

Analysis: Ballard has a nice Week 8 matchup against a Titans' defense which is allowing an average of 134 yards rushing per game and 7 scores on the year.

Ballard had 84 rushing yards on 20 carries and 19 receiving yards on one catch Sunday against the Browns.

Analysis: Ballard had a much better performance Sunday than he did the prior week, although he lost 11 carries to backup Delone Carter. It seems the backfield is Ballard's right now, although a time-share possibility seems to be present.

Ballard had eight carries for 25 yards and two catches for 17 yards Sunday against the Jets.

Analysis: The Colts' offense struggled to score against the Jets and the running game was virtually shut down. Ballard couldn't do a lot to spark the Colts' offense, which led the team to also give a few touches to Delone Carter and Mewelde Moore. The Colts face a Browns defense next week that has struggled to stop the run for most of this season, so Ballard could get a few more opportunities to show he can handle the load with Donald Brown out.

Brown injures knee

Running back Donald Brown will miss two to three weeks after tearing cartilage in his knee, interim coach Bruce Arians told reporters. Brown underwent surgery this week to repair the knee that he injured on the final play from scrimmage in a win over the Green Bay Packers. FULL STORY

Analysis: Vic Ballard should be the one to take the reins the next few weeks. With a matchup against the Jets 31st ranked rush defense, Ballard could provide a decent play if you're in a bind due to the bye week.

Vick Ballard: To Start Sunday

Ballard will start this week against the Jets with Donald Brown out two-to-three weeks after knee surgery, the Indianapolis Star reports.

Analysis: Ballard has been getting almost all the snaps as the backup to Brown, so it's possible he may get the bulk of work as the starter. Delone Carter and Mewelde Moore could also share the workload while Brown is out.

Ballard had six carries for 11 yards and one reception for four yards in Sunday's win over the Packers.

Analysis: Ballard is the clear backup to Donald Brown, but he's not getting enough playing time for viable fantasy value in most leagues.

Ballard had five carries for 12 yards in Sunday's loss to Jacksonville.

Analysis: Ballard is the clear backup to Donald Brown, but the Colts are not running the ball enough to give him viable fantasy value in most leagues. Ballard has just 15 carries in three games.

Ballard had four carries for six yards in Sunday's loss to Chicago.

Analysis: Ballard didn't see much action as the Colts struggled to run the ball and got behind early. However, he looks like the clear backup to Donald Brown at this point as he was the only other running back to get a carry.

Ballard had seven carries for eight yards in Saturday's preseason loss to Washington.

Analysis: The Colts struggled to run the ball as Donald Brown also had just eight yards on seven carries. Despite the poor performance, Ballard could begin the season as the No. 2 running back and get significant carries with the status of Mewelde Moore and Delone Carter uncertain due to injury.

Ballard had ten carries for 34 yards in Sunday's preseason loss to Pittsburgh.

Analysis: Ballard got an expanded role with Delone Carter and Mewelde Moore sidelined with rib injuries and showed some power on a 12-yard run. He could begin the season as the No. 2 running back if injuries to Moore and Carter keep them sidelined into the regular season.

Ballard had six carries for 28 yards and one reception for 11 yards in his NFL debut in Sunday's preseason win over the Rams.

Analysis: Ballard didn't get into the game until the third quarter as he appears behind Donald Brown and Delone Carter on the depth chart. However, he made some strong runs and could get into the mix for regular season carries before the preseason is done.

Vick Ballard: Could Make an Impact at RB for Colts

Ballard agreed to a four-year, $2.24 million contract with the Colts, Aaron Wilson of the Carroll County Times reports.

Analysis: Ballard will compete with Donald Brown and Delone Carter for the bulk of the Colts' tailback duties. Neither Brown nor Carter were particularly outstanding in their opportunities last season, meaning Ballard could see a fair share of carries during the season with a strong training camp.