{"id":289575,"date":"2023-09-05T13:04:05","date_gmt":"2023-09-05T13:04:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tellmysport.com\/?p=289575"},"modified":"2023-09-05T13:04:05","modified_gmt":"2023-09-05T13:04:05","slug":"colts-to-employ-rb-by-committee-in-jonathan-taylors-absence-whoevers-got-the-hot-hand-let-em-ride-a-little-bit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tellmysport.com\/nfl\/colts-to-employ-rb-by-committee-in-jonathan-taylors-absence-whoevers-got-the-hot-hand-let-em-ride-a-little-bit\/","title":{"rendered":"Colts to employ RB by committee in Jonathan Taylor's absence: 'Whoever's got the hot hand, let 'em ride a little bit'"},"content":{"rendered":"
Jonathan Taylor’s absence for at least the start of the 2023 season thrust the Indianapolis Colts’ backfield from a one-man show to a group effort.<\/p>\n
Sans the workhorse back, head coach Shane Steichen will divvy up the workload between Zack Moss, Deon Jackson and rookie Evan Hull, playing the proverbial hot-hand approach.<\/p>\n
“I think it’s running back-by-committee,” Steichen said Monday, via the Indy Star. “Whoever’s got the hot hand, let ’em ride a little bit.”<\/p>\n
If Steichen continues to use running backs like the Philadelphia Eagles’ offense, expect Indy to use different players in specific roles.<\/p>\n
Moss, the power runner of the group, would be the favorite to lead the group had he not suffered a broken arm during training camp and had been out a month. While he’s expected to play in the season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars, he might not be ready for a full workload.<\/p>\n
Jackson offers upside with more speed than Moss. That burst could play well in the Colts’ offense alongside rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson.<\/p>\n
“This offense, I feel like it allows all of us to use our versatility, but me specifically, I feel like it allows me to use my speed,” Jackson said. “It suits my skill set pretty well.”<\/p>\n
Hull, a fifth-round pick, was drafted as a third-down back and could remain in that pass-catching role to open the season.<\/p>\n
Each of the current top three backs brings a different element to the Colts offense. That distinct difference could lead to a true committee, though Steichen leaves the door open for one to earn more reps by bursting out of the gate.<\/p>\n
Regardless of how the pecking order shakes out, Moss sees playing RB next to Richardson as an enviable gig, with defenses forced to account for the QB as a runner and passer.<\/p>\n
“The box is lighter,” Moss said. “I played with Josh Allen for three years in Buffalo, so I understand when you have a guy like that, what that means for ourselves, for the O-line, for everyone else.”<\/p>\n