The Colts appear to have found a viable running back. Zack Moss, making his 2023 debut, punched out 88 yards and a touchdown against the Texans today, helping Indianapolis to its first win.
The Colts in the preseason and in their opener appeared likely to use more of a committee approach, with Deon Jackson and Evan Hull involved. (Moss, with a broken hand, didn’t play in August or in Week 1.)
We all, apparently, should have paid more attention to the end of last season. The Colts (with a different coaching staff) featured Moss in their last four games, and he averaged 84 yards in those games. In Weeks 15-18 last year, only six players ran for more yards.
| LEADING RUSHERS (Weeks 15-18, 2022) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | G | Att | Yds | Avg | TD |
| Tyler Allgeier, Atl. | 4 | 79 | 431 | 5.5 | 2 |
| Cam Akers, LAR | 4 | 75 | 410 | 5.5 | 3 |
| Kenneth Walker, Sea. | 4 | 90 | 401 | 4.5 | 0 |
| Nick Chubb, Cle. | 4 | 71 | 372 | 5.2 | 0 |
| Alvin Kamara, N.O. | 4 | 80 | 347 | 4.3 | 1 |
| Derrick Henry, Ten. | 3 | 74 | 339 | 4.6 | 2 |
| Zack Moss, Ind. | 4 | 69 | 334 | 4.8 | 1 |
| Najee Harris, Pitt. | 4 | 85 | 330 | 3.9 | 2 |
| Latavius Murray, Den. | 4 | 59 | 323 | 5.5 | 2 |
| Christian McCaffrey, S.F. | 4 | 70 | 320 | 4.6 | 3 |
| Travis Etienne, Jac. | 4 | 57 | 311 | 5.5 | 1 |
| Rhamondre Stevenson, N.E. | 4 | 46 | 298 | 6.5 | 1 |
| Austin Ekeler, LAC | 4 | 51 | 281 | 5.5 | 5 |
| Raheem Mostert, Mia. | 4 | 45 | 281 | 6.2 | 0 |
| J.K. Dobbins, Balt. | 3 | 42 | 277 | 6.6 | 0 |
| D'Onta Foreman, Car. | 4 | 56 | 277 | 4.9 | 1 |
| Aaron Jones, G.B. | 4 | 49 | 274 | 5.6 | 0 |
| Jamaal Williams, Det. | 4 | 58 | 260 | 4.5 | 3 |
| Josh Jacobs, L.V. | 4 | 71 | 251 | 3.5 | 1 |
| Isiah Pacheco, K.C. | 4 | 46 | 239 | 5.2 | 2 |
Statistics compiled using search tools at Pro-Football-Reference.com
Moss’s production today was right in line with what he was doing in those final games: 18 carries for 88 yards. The Texans probably will wind up being below-average run defense, but a good day for Moss.
The game also gives the team some leverage over Jonathan Taylor (who’s eligible to return off PUP in Week 5 but is looking for a new contract). If Moss is running for 80-plus yards per week, the team won’t be too worried about Taylor not being around.
—Ian Allan