​Only two running backs in the NFL have surpassed 300 carries in each of the last two seasons, but it seems the Colts might be fine if Jonathan Taylor’s streak ends there. It’s not that Taylor hasn’t been effective—his 3,016 rushing yards and 29 rushing touchdowns on 626 carries attest to that—but running backs coach DeAndre Smith emphasized the link between heavy usage and injury risk as a reason the team would welcome additional options to keep the ground game thriving while Taylor gets some rest during games.
“We definitely need to find ways to take some of that workload off him,” Smith told ESPN.com’s Stephen Holder. “If I can find another guy or two who can handle some of those carries, he’s going to be that much better. So, it’s definitely a constant conversation. I’m aware of it. When he’s healthy, we’ve got a chance to win every game. So, that’s always the first thing I think about: making sure he’s available every week.”
Taylor played every game in 2025, but he sat out three games in 2024 and missed 13 games over the previous two seasons. There isn’t a clear answer yet on the roster. Fifth-round rookie DJ Giddens played just 26 carries as a rookie in 2025, and 2026 seventh-round pick Seth McGowan is joined by several undrafted free agents lower on the depth chart. If one of those players doesn’t emerge quickly in camp, the Colts may need to explore outside options to provide the kind of help Smith envisions to take some carries off Taylor in the fall. This approach would aim to keep the offense humming while preserving Taylor for the grind of the season, aligning with the organization’s broader strategy to balance a potent rushing attack with sustainable workload management.