The Indianapolis Colts, along with all 31 other teams in the NFL, finalized their initial 53-man rosters on Tuesday. While these rosters are subject to some tweaks once waiver claims are processed, for the most part Indy has their group for 2025.
While this year’s roster choice showed little surprise compared to previous years, general manager Chris Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen are sending some strong messages, including how they feel about their running back group.
By keeping just three rushers, the Colts are showing clear belief in their rookie fifth-round draft pick DJ Giddens, according to the Indianapolis Star’s Joel Erickson.
“The Colts are counting heavily on fifth-round pick D.J. Giddens to back up (Jonathan) Taylor,” Erickson wrote. “Giddens looked good in training camp and the preseason, displaying excellent vision and a knack for sliding through the hole, along with good hands in the passing game.”
At the same time, Erickson also acknowledged that Giddens will start the season with his hands full. Taylor is the clear starter, but with Tyler Goodson, the last running back on the roster, dealing with an elbow injury and unlikely to contribute in the early portion of the season, the bulk of the backup reps will go to Giddens.
Which is a great opportunity for the rookie to establish himself. Erickson writes that Giddens needs to be up to the task.
“The Colts need Giddens to rise to the occasion, not only in case of injury to Taylor but also to give the team’s best offensive weapon enough rest that Taylor can be fresh throughout the season,” he wrote.
Since entering the league in 2020, Taylor has played a full 17 games just once in his breakout 2021 campaign. The Colts are hoping that Giddens can help take some of the work off his shoulders, optimizing the bell cow’s health for what Indy hopes turns into a run to the postseason.