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2026 NFL backfield

Indianapolis Colts running backs

The current roster, the published replacement plan and the production behind each player’s role.

The published backfield plan

Published starter

Jonathan Taylor

Preferred handcuff

Seth McGowan

McGowan earned the RB2 job behind Taylor.

Committee uncertainty: an absence could spread work across several backs.

View Jonathan Taylor’s handcuff breakdown

Week 1 analysis published .

How the work could change

Indianapolis’ Sept. 8 Week 1 depth-chart report says Seth McGowan earned the second-string job behind Jonathan Taylor, with DJ Giddens third. McGowan is the best-supported replacement.

Indianapolis’ Sept. 8 Week 1 depth-chart report says Seth McGowan earned the second-string job behind Jonathan Taylor, with DJ Giddens third. McGowan is the best-supported replacement.

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The full backfield depth chart

Every running back and fullback assigned to Indianapolis Colts, including reserve and practice-squad entries. Chart order and replacement opportunity answer different questions: a passing-down specialist can sit ahead of the back most likely to inherit the carries.

Source: nflverse depth-chart feed · Feed dated Thu, Sep 10, 8:01 AM EDT. Equal ranks are ties. Unlisted backs are not assigned an invented rank. FB ranks are separate from RB ranks.

Indianapolis Colts full running back depth chart
Feed orderPlayerScouting roleDraft investmentRoster status
RB1
Jonathan TaylorPublished starter		Three-down back2020 · Round 2 · Pick 41active
RB2
Seth McGowanPublished handcuff		Early-down runner2026 · Round 7 · Pick 237active
RB3
DJ Giddens		Receiving back2025 · Round 5 · Pick 151active
Unlisted
Anderson Castle		Role under review2026 · Undraftedpractice squad
Unlisted
Davon Booth		Role under review2026 · Undraftedpractice squad
Unlisted
Ulysses Bentley IV		Role under reviewDraft history unavailablepractice squadAssignment needs review

Every back: role, upside and obstacles

The player assessments below explain the skills that could earn work and the assignments that might go to someone else. Role labels describe scouting assessments; they are not confirmed snap shares. “Three-down” means a skill set for rushing and passing situations, not a guarantee of every down.

RB1 · Three-down back

Jonathan Taylor

Age 27 · 7 years of NFL experience · active

Back to depth chart
Three-down outlook: Capable in saved assessmentPass protection: Positive assessment
Saved scouting assessment — source review needed

Elite volume workhorse who finally strung together a fully healthy season in 2025 and scored 20 times. Indianapolis' entire offensive identity; runs, catches and protects, with only his pre-2025 injury pattern working against him.

Scouting assessment saved Thu, Sep 10, 5:29 PM EDT. Underlying citations lack publication dates; treat team-role and injury statements as historical notes pending review.

Path to more work

He is the starter in the dated board above. For fantasy purposes, the question is how much of the rushing and passing work he keeps when the whole room is available.

Why the work could go elsewhere

A starter can still lose third downs, short-yardage work or change-of-pace touches to specialists. His role assessment describes the skill set, not a guarantee that every assignment stays with him.

The saved assessment credits his pass protection, which can help a back earn passing-down trust. It does not guarantee a three-down assignment.

Draft investment

2020 · Round 2 · Pick 41

Drafted by IND; not necessarily his current team.

Early-round investment is part of his prospect pedigree and may support a chance to develop. It does not guarantee the next workload, especially after a team change.

Draft record source

What the recorded workload tells us

In 2025, his 17 recorded games include 323 carries and 46 receptions on 55 targets. He has recorded work both on the ground and in the passing game; those totals alone do not establish pass-protection ability or a three-down role.

Confirm the latest game-day designation. General active-roster status does not certify that he will dress or receive work.

Player research sources

RB2 · Early-down runner

Seth McGowan

Age 24 · Rookie · active

Back to depth chart
Three-down outlook: Not establishedPass protection: Not established
Saved scouting assessment — source review needed

Rookie who leapfrogged Giddens for the No. 2 job on the strength of camp and preseason play. Zero NFL carries — Indianapolis would likely lean on a committee rather than hand him Taylor's workload.

Scouting assessment saved Thu, Sep 10, 5:29 PM EDT. Underlying citations lack publication dates; treat team-role and injury statements as historical notes pending review.

Path to more work

The dated board selects him as the preferred replacement behind Jonathan Taylor. That is a projection of the replacement role, not a promise that he gets every touch.

Ahead on the feed’s RB chart: Jonathan Taylor. Their roles and availability shape how much work could open up.

Why the work could go elsewhere

An early-down profile offers a path to carries between the tackles. A receiving or protection specialist could still handle third downs, limiting a full-workload takeover.

Pass protection has not been established in the saved assessment. Missing information is not evidence that he cannot do it.

Draft investment

2026 · Round 7 · Pick 237

Drafted by IND; not necessarily his current team.

A later-round selection describes his entry point. It does not rule out a lead role; demonstrated production and a trusted assignment matter more than draft position alone.

Draft record source

What the recorded workload tells us

No recorded NFL regular-season production is available in the two seasons shown. That is an evidence gap, not a zero or a judgment of his ability.

Confirm the latest game-day designation. General active-roster status does not certify that he will dress or receive work.

Player research sources

RB3 · Receiving back

DJ Giddens

Age 23 · 2 years of NFL experience · active

Back to depth chart
Three-down outlook: Capable in saved assessmentPass protection: Not established
Saved scouting assessment — source review needed

Smooth, well-rounded second-year back long described as the perfect complement to Taylor, now demoted to RB3 after a quiet camp. Still the most complete backup skill set in the room and a plausible lead back if Taylor missed extended time.

Scouting assessment saved Thu, Sep 10, 5:29 PM EDT. Underlying citations lack publication dates; treat team-role and injury statements as historical notes pending review.

Path to more work

His path begins with an opening behind Jonathan Taylor. The dated board currently prefers Seth McGowan for the lead replacement role. Being next on a depth chart would not by itself guarantee the carries, third downs and goal-line work.

Ahead on the feed’s RB chart: Jonathan Taylor, Seth McGowan. Their roles and availability shape how much work could open up.

Why the work could go elsewhere

A receiving specialist can retain passing-down work without becoming the lead runner. A bigger rushing role could go to a different teammate even if this player appears higher on the chart.

Pass protection has not been established in the saved assessment. Missing information is not evidence that he cannot do it.

Draft investment

2025 · Round 5 · Pick 151

Drafted by IND; not necessarily his current team.

A later-round selection describes his entry point. It does not rule out a lead role; demonstrated production and a trusted assignment matter more than draft position alone.

Draft record source

What the recorded workload tells us

In 2025, his 5 recorded games include 26 carries and 0 receptions on 2 targets. He has recorded work both on the ground and in the passing game; those totals alone do not establish pass-protection ability or a three-down role.

Confirm the latest game-day designation. General active-roster status does not certify that he will dress or receive work.

Player research sources

Unlisted · Role under review

Anderson Castle

Age 24 · Rookie · practice squad

Back to depth chart
Three-down outlook: Not establishedPass protection: Not established

Anderson Castle is a rookie listed by IND at RB, from Duke. The official roster lists him at 5-11 and 221 pounds.

Research checked Fri, Sep 11, 12:01 PM EDT. Undated biographies support background facts, not a current workload promise.

Path to more work

A practice-squad place keeps him available for development and possible elevation. Any offensive work would depend on an active-roster opening and a team decision to use him in the backfield.

Why the work could go elsewhere

The official roster verifies his current reserve placement and basic background but does not establish backfield rank, pass protection, a three-down role or a projected touch share.

Pass protection has not been established in the saved assessment. Missing information is not evidence that he cannot do it.

Draft investment

2026 · Undrafted

He entered without draft investment. That says how he arrived, not what he can become; current usage and coaching trust carry more weight now.

Draft record source

What the recorded workload tells us

No recorded NFL regular-season production is available in the two seasons shown. That is an evidence gap, not a zero or a judgment of his ability.

His roster feed status is practice squad. He needs the relevant roster or availability change before this becomes an immediate pickup opportunity.

Player research sources

Unlisted · Role under review

Davon Booth

Age 24 · Rookie · practice squad

Back to depth chart
Three-down outlook: Not establishedPass protection: Not established

Davon Booth is a rookie listed by IND at RB, from Mississippi State. The official roster lists him at 5-8 and 192 pounds.

Research checked Fri, Sep 11, 12:01 PM EDT. Undated biographies support background facts, not a current workload promise.

Path to more work

A practice-squad place keeps him available for development and possible elevation. Any offensive work would depend on an active-roster opening and a team decision to use him in the backfield.

Why the work could go elsewhere

The official roster verifies his current reserve placement and basic background but does not establish backfield rank, pass protection, a three-down role or a projected touch share.

Pass protection has not been established in the saved assessment. Missing information is not evidence that he cannot do it.

Draft investment

2026 · Undrafted

He entered without draft investment. That says how he arrived, not what he can become; current usage and coaching trust carry more weight now.

Draft record source

What the recorded workload tells us

No recorded NFL regular-season production is available in the two seasons shown. That is an evidence gap, not a zero or a judgment of his ability.

His roster feed status is practice squad. He needs the relevant roster or availability change before this becomes an immediate pickup opportunity.

Player research sources

Unlisted · Role under review

Ulysses Bentley IV

Age 25 · 1 years of NFL experience · practice squad

Back to depth chart

The Indianapolis Colts official roster page did not corroborate this roster-feed assignment when checked. The assignment needs review. Official roster checked Fri, Sep 11, 12:01 PM EDT.

Three-down outlook: Not establishedPass protection: Not established

Individual scouting research is pending. The recorded workload and draft history below provide the available context.

Path to more work

His path begins with an opening behind Jonathan Taylor. The dated board currently prefers Seth McGowan for the lead replacement role. Being next on a depth chart would not by itself guarantee the carries, third downs and goal-line work.

Why the work could go elsewhere

A clear role assessment is not available. Rushing experience, receiving usage and protection responsibilities need checking before treating him as a direct replacement.

Pass protection has not been established in the saved assessment. Missing information is not evidence that he cannot do it.

Draft investment

Draft history unavailable

A verified draft record is not available here. Missing data does not mean he went undrafted.

Draft record source

What the recorded workload tells us

No recorded NFL regular-season production is available in the two seasons shown. That is an evidence gap, not a zero or a judgment of his ability.

His roster feed status is practice squad. He needs the relevant roster or availability change before this becomes an immediate pickup opportunity.

The production behind the names

2025 regular season. Recorded production, not a projection. A missing stat line is not a zero.

Player comparison for the 2025 regular season
PlayerGames with statsCarriesReceptionsTotal yardsPPR / game
Jonathan Taylor
1732346196321.3
Seth McGowan
—————
Anderson Castle
—————
Davon Booth
—————
DJ Giddens
5260961.9
Ulysses Bentley IV
—————
Jonathan Taylor: recent touches

Carries + receptions, last 6 recorded games in 2025

Wk 1324 touches
Wk 1421 touches
Wk 1528 touches
Wk 1619 touches
Wk 1724 touches
Wk 1816 touches
DJ Giddens: recent touches

Carries + receptions, last 5 recorded games in 2025

Wk 112 touches
Wk 20 touches
Wk 31 touches
Wk 55 touches
Wk 188 touches

Totals include all teams played for that season. Per-game averages use games with recorded stats. Source: nflverse player statistics.

Evidence behind the backfield analysis

Compare your next bench move

A handcuff is an opportunity to hold, not a projected starter for this week. Compare the room with other teams, then choose a game window that fits your league’s rules.

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