Colts want to "find ways to take some of that workload" off Jonathan Taylor

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Only two running backs in the NFL have carried the ball more than 300 times in each of the last two seasons, but it sounds like the Colts wouldn't mind if Jonathan Taylor's streak ends there. It's not a question of effectiveness as Taylor has run for 3,016 yards and 29 touchdowns on his 626 totes, but running backs coach DeAndre Smith pointed out the correlation between usage and injury risk as a reason why the team would like to find other options that would allow the running game to continue to flourish while Taylor is getting a chance to rest during games. "We definitely need to find ways to take some of that workload off him," Smith said, via Stephen Holder of ESPN.com. "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. So, it's definitely been 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 missed three games in 2024 and 13 games over the previous two seasons. There's no surefire answer on the roster at the moment as 2025 fifth-rounder DJ Giddens only ran 26 times as a rookie and 2026 seventh-rounder Seth McGowan is joined by undrafted free agents further down the depth chart. If one of those players doesn't flash quickly in camp, the Colts may have to look elsewhere for the kind of help that Smith would like to give Taylor come the fall.