​With training camp drawing near, we’ll zero in on the single biggest question facing each Indianapolis Colts position group. Up first are the running backs, and rather than dwelling on who will serve as RB2, the focus shifts to Jonathan Taylor and how the potential return of Daniel Jones could inject new life into the Colts’ ground game.
A major factor in the Colts’ strong start to the 2025 season was Taylor’s elite production. ESPN’s Ben Solak highlighted that through 10 games, Taylor had racked up 1,139 rushing yards, averaging 114 yards per contest and on pace for close to 2,000 yards for the season. He also crossed the goal line 15 times. However, the momentum faded during the two games Jones played while nursing a fibula injury, and further waned after Jones’ season ended with an Achilles injury. In the stretch from Weeks 12 through 18, Taylor did not reach 100 rushing yards in any game and averaged under 4.0 yards per carry in six of those seven contests, according to Pro Football Focus.
The shift began early in Rivers’ tenure, when the Colts leaned more on shotgun formations and attempted to spread defenses out. Opponents, wary of Rivers pushing the ball downfield, loaded the box and forced the Colts to improvise. All of these factors combined to complicate the task of establishing a consistent rushing attack. The result was a football game plan that often put the onus on the passing game, even when a steady run would have balanced the offense and provided a more predictable framework for success.
Looking ahead, while Jones’ return will capture headlines, the Colts’ offense will reach its full potential only if Taylor can anchor a reliable rushing attack. A potent ground game keeps the offense ahead of the chains and reduces the frequency of second- and third-and-long situations, which in turn limits the pressure on the quarterback and opens up a wider playbook for Shane Steichen to exploit. When the team can stay ahead of the sticks, the play-calling becomes more versatile, and the passing game benefits from the defense having to respect the run.
The connection between the run game and the passing game is inseparable. A healthier, more effective Taylor can set the tone by gaining tough yards and maintaining tempo, while Jones’ return can take advantage of favorable looks created by a strengthened run game. In turn, those balanced looks provide more opportunities for the passing attack to flourish, improving everything from play-action efficiency to time-of-possession control. The Colts’ entire offense stands to gain when the ground game is a reliable weapon that forces defenses to respect both the run and the pass.
This piece originally appeared on Colts Wire, underscoring the big question surrounding the Colts’ running back position in the lead-up to training camp for improved SEO.