Colts Want To Lighten Jonathan Taylor’s Workload

Colts running back Jonathan Taylor ranks second in the NFL with 626 rushing attempts since 2024, as well as a snap share over 80%. He also led the league with 323 carries and took a whopping 46% of his team’s offensive touches last year.

Taylor’s workload has led to elite production: 3,016 yards and 29 touchdowns in the last two seasons, both top-three numbers at his position. The Colts certainly are not complaining about those numbers, but they are also aware of the need for long-term sustainability for their star running back.

“We definitely need to find ways to take some of that workload off him,” running backs coach DeAndre Smith said recently (via ESPN’s Turron Davenport). “If I can find another guy or two that can take some of those carries off, he’s just going to be that much better.

But since Zack Moss‘ departure during the 2024 offseason, the Colts have struggled to find a reliable No. 2 who can take on some of Taylor’s touches. Investments in the position have been minimal. 2023 fifth-rounder Evan Hull spent two years on the practice squad before leaving Indianapolis last offseason and veteran signings like Trey Sermon and Khalil Herbert have not panned out.

The Colts’ current running back room is arguably the thinnest in the league behind their Pro Bowl starter. The leading candidates for the primary backup gig this year are 2025 fifth-rounder DJ Giddens and seventh-round rookie Seth McGowan. Giddens was extremely productive at Kansas State, but carried the ball just 26 times for 96 yards as a rookie. McGowan’s college numbers are relatively underwhelming with just 725 yards on 65 carries last year at Kentucky.

Rounding out the group is 2025 UDFA Ulysses Bentley, who took two snaps in one practice squad elevation as a rookie, and Anderson Castle, an undrafted rookie signing out of Duke, where he put up 115 carries, 488 rushing yards, and 12 touchdowns.

Taylor is a solid but not elite pass-catching running back, so the Colts could consider handing off some of his receiving workload. However, they may not want to take their best player off the field on third downs too often.

Giddens might be the best bet to emerge as an explosive change-of-pace back this year. He averaged 6.0 yards per carry at Kansas State and offers big play potential when he can get into open space. The Colts could also see which veterans shake free during roster cuts if they want a more proven player to rotate in with Taylor.