At the start of the 2024 NFL free agency, former Indianapolis Colts running back Zack Moss finalized a contract with the Cincinnati Bengals. His departure from Indianapolis was not a surprise and therefore the Colts will need to shore up his replacement. In the 2023 season, Moss played much like a starting running back. With Jonathan Taylor’s injuries, Moss started eight games. When he had more than 15 rushes in a game, Moss would average 99.2 yards. Needless to say, filling the shoes of a running back like Zack Moss will not be easy to fill for the Colts. However, they have several promising guys already on the roster who might be up for the challenge.
Candidates to Be the Second Running Back for the Indianapolis Colts
Evan Hull
One of the more promising backs for the Indianapolis Colts is running back Evan Hull. Drafted in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, Hull provided a lot of potential during offseason workouts. Unfortunately, he was never able to showcase his ability in games as he suffered a season-ending knee injury during week one. Despite this unfortunate news, the Colts brought back Hull for year two. The hope is that he can fully showcase his abilities on the field in 2024.
Although his statistics are minimal, Hull did manage to carry the ball once for one yard against the Jaguars in week one. He also had one reception for six yards. Hull has some similarities with Zack Moss. Hull can run between the tackles, make plays as a pass-catcher out of the backfield, and be a playmaker on special teams. The Colts will certainly look to utilize his versatility in the offense.
Trey Sermon
Another Indianapolis Colt depth piece is fourth-year running back Trey Sermon. In 2023, he received a reasonable amount of playing time on the field. In 14 game appearances, he rushed 35 times for 160 yards, no touchdowns, and seven first downs. His breakout performance came in week 15 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. In a blowout victory, head coach Shane Steichen elected to use Sermon as the main back. He would finish the game with 17 carries for 88 yards.
Similar to Evan Hull, the sample size for Trey Sermon is not very big. Even in his previous two years with the Philadelphia Eagles and the San Fransisco 49ers, he was always a depth piece. That being said, whenever he gets an opportunity with the football, he makes the most of it. Sermon does have the experience advantage over Hull but is not as versatile.
Tyler Goodson
The last running back who can make a case to be the second running back for the Indianapolis Colts is Tyler Goodson. Although he left the 2023 season on a sour note, he was a very promising back with a lot of potential. After spending most of the 2023 season on the Colts practice squad, he was signed to the 53-man roster on December 19th. He too, like Sermon, had his breakout performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He finished with 69 rushing yards on 11 attempts and had two receptions for 10 yards.
After the Steelers game, Goodson did not see much action on the field as Trey Sermon was ahead of him on the depth chart. Nonetheless, Goodson displayed the potential to be productive and versatile as a running back. Unfortunately, his dropped pass in the week 18 matchup against the Houston Texans will continue to loom over him. But the coaching staff and players only care about moving forward with the best talent. Goodson will have an opportunity to showcase that this offseason.
Main Photo: Jenna Watson/IndyStar-USA TODAY NETWORK
