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With minicamp behind us, let's break down the Indianapolis Colts' roster through a different lens.
In this series, we will be going position-by-position and placing each player into one of three categories -- are they a lock to make the team, likely to make the team, or on the bubble and fighting for a role?
What this exercise can do is help bring into focus how many roster spots are actually available this summer, along with highlighting who may be on the outside and looking in.
Up next are the running backs.
After navigating various injuries the past few seasons, Taylor started all 17 games in 2025, and per usual, he was his highly productive self. Taylor finished the regular season ranked third in rushing yards, ninth in yards per rush, and first in rushing touchdowns. Taylor will continue to shoulder the heavy workload at this position for the Colts. Last season, he led the NFL in rush attempts.
With Giddens and McGowan competing for the backup running back role, we can expect these two to be on the team. However, given their inexperience and the unknowns that come with that, these players aren't quite in the 100% roster lock category -- but, again, you can expect them to be on the team.
Most teams roster three running backs on the 53-man, so it's very possible that each spot on the 2026 Colts is already accounted for. These players could be competing for a spot on the practice squad.
Bentley went undrafted in 2025 and spent last year on the Colts' practice squad. Pare and Castle are 2026 UDFAs.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Colts 53-man roster: Locks and bubble players at running back
Continue reading...
In this series, we will be going position-by-position and placing each player into one of three categories -- are they a lock to make the team, likely to make the team, or on the bubble and fighting for a role?
What this exercise can do is help bring into focus how many roster spots are actually available this summer, along with highlighting who may be on the outside and looking in.
Up next are the running backs.
Roster lock (1): Jonathan Taylor
After navigating various injuries the past few seasons, Taylor started all 17 games in 2025, and per usual, he was his highly productive self. Taylor finished the regular season ranked third in rushing yards, ninth in yards per rush, and first in rushing touchdowns. Taylor will continue to shoulder the heavy workload at this position for the Colts. Last season, he led the NFL in rush attempts.
Likely to make the team (2): DJ Giddens and Seth McGowan
With Giddens and McGowan competing for the backup running back role, we can expect these two to be on the team. However, given their inexperience and the unknowns that come with that, these players aren't quite in the 100% roster lock category -- but, again, you can expect them to be on the team.
On the bubble (3): Ulysses Bentley, Anderson Castle, Lincoln Pare
Most teams roster three running backs on the 53-man, so it's very possible that each spot on the 2026 Colts is already accounted for. These players could be competing for a spot on the practice squad.
Bentley went undrafted in 2025 and spent last year on the Colts' practice squad. Pare and Castle are 2026 UDFAs.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Colts 53-man roster: Locks and bubble players at running back
Continue reading...
