Zack Moss Has Become a RB the Colts Can Lean On

Indianapolis Colts running back Zack Moss has proven he is more than just a backup.

Before the season began, many wondered how the Indianapolis Colts running game would fare without Jonathan Taylor.

By now, we all know Taylor was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list due to a lingering ankle injury. Along with the ankle injury has come Taylor's trade request after the Colts elected to not give Taylor a contract extension at this time. The saga between the Colts and their star running back has dominated headlines since the beginning of training camp.

But in Taylor's stead, another running back has risen to the occasion and become more than just a backup. Zack Moss, who the Colts acquired last season in a trade that sent former running back Nyheim Hines to the Buffalo Bills, has more than carried the load for the Colts running game. In a situation where the Colts could have been lost without their former All-Pro, Moss has become a player the Colts offense can lean on.

“Just try to be someone that the team can count on, lean on a little bit," Moss explained. "Try to earn the trust of the guys, the coaching staff each and every day, each and every week – every day this is a job interview. That’s always my mindset since Day One since I walked in this league and that’s what it’s going to be the day I leave.”

Mandatory Credit: Brent Skeen-USA TODAY Sports

Moss was still recovering from a broken forearm suffered during training camp when the Colts took on the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 1. Indy struggled to run the ball, amassing just 65 yards on 26 carries for an average of 2.5 yards per carry. 40 of those yards came from rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson.

The Colts desperately needed a boost to their running game. Moss returned in Week 2, but there was the question of if he would need time to shake off the rust. That would not be necessary.

Moss ran the ball 18 times for 88 yards and a touchdown in a dominating Colts win over the Houston Texans. He backed that up with an even more impressive performance in Week 3 with 30 carries for 122 yards and a receiving touchdown in an upset victory over the Baltimore Ravens. Even with that kind of workload and all the hits he took, Moss is ready to keep things rolling.

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“I feel good, first and foremost," Moss said. "I try to take care of my body every single week. That’s the No. 1 thing is being available in this job – to put myself in situations like that."

“He felt good, he felt good," head coach Shane Steichen said about Moss. "Shoot, he ran hard – what, 30 carries? He felt good, he feels good today. Shoot, looking forward to this weekend with him.”

Moss was huge in the Colts' win over the Ravens and is a major reason why the Colts sit at 2-1 atop the AFC South standings. There were plenty of runs where Moss would make something out of nothing or continue to churn his legs to get a few extra yards. Those tough runs were the difference between the Colts sustaining drives and having to give the ball back to the Ravens. 

“Gosh, he just makes tough, gritty runs," Steichen remarked. "There was a couple of plays, I think I mentioned it after the game, he had one where we ran outside zone and (Jadeveon) Clowney came off the edge to chase him down – he broke that tackle and then he broke two more to get eight yards. That’s rare to see that. But credit to him and the way he runs with low pads, his physicality and then he’s just got a great, natural field vision."

The most important run of the day by Moss came in overtime. Moss was well over 20 carries at that point and had been seen limping at times on the field. But the running back dug deep, hit the hole with purpose, and got the Colts in field goal range for Matt Gay to kick the game-winner.

"The overtime one, same deal," Steichen remembered. "He pressed it on the outside zone, we had Pitt (Michael Pittman Jr.) on the backside, did a little bluff, and then boom – he saw the crease and hit it to get us in field goal range. Plays like that are huge when a back like that has really good vision.”

The Colts have leaned heavily on Moss these last two weeks, and the running back has done nothing but produce. Moss sits ninth in the NFL in rushing with 210 yards even after missing a game. The Colts will likely rely on Moss in a big way this week as well against the Los Angeles Rams, who rank 13th in the NFL against the run.

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The Colts will likely get Richardson back as well, as the rookie missed last week's game due to a concussion. Richardson and Moss have only played a little over a quarter together, but it resulted in the Colts taking a 14-0 lead against the Texans. With Moss having the hot hand and the threat of Richardson's legs, we could see a big game from these two on Sunday.

"Obviously, getting Anthony back is going to be real good," Moss admitted. "I don’t know how things are going to shake out, I don’t really worry about that. I just try to show up on Sunday and do my job at a high level.”

Moss is all business and has done an incredible job keeping the Colts running game from missing a beat without Taylor. Taylor is expected to return within the next few weeks when he is activated off the PUP list. But when Taylor does return, that does not mean Moss will fall into the shadows.

Moss is here to stay, and the running back many thought was just a placeholder has given the Colts' offense a much-needed playmaker.

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