What was a very deep roster of running backs at the beginning of the season for the Indianapolis Colts, have recently been depleted by injury issues. The Colts have been battling through beat-up backs all year, but now find themselves more thin at that position than ever. On Tuesday, the Colts were forced to make some moves, in order to try and bolster their running back spot.
On Tuesday afternoon, Indianapolis put two backs on Injured Reserve, while adding two more to the active roster. The Colts also released one running back from the practice squad, and added another back to the practice squad. Fullback Robert Hughes and starting running back Donald Brown will both be on Injured Reserve for the rest of the season. To fill those spots, running backs Mewelde Moore and Deji Karim have been signed on. Running back Davin Meggett was signed to the practice squad, replacing Alvester Alexander, who was released.
Donald Brown, who was a first-round draft pick by the Colts in 2009, began the season as the starting back for Indianapolis. Brown had been dealing with a knee injury for much of the season, and then was sidelined earlier this month with an ankle injury. Brown has only had double-digit carries three ties over the last seven games, and has not ran for over 85 yards in any game this season. Brown scored his only rushing touchdown of the season in week one.
With back-up rusher Delone Carter dealing with an ankle injury of his own, the bulk of the carries will be delegated to rookie running back, Vick Ballard. Ballard has held his own well when called-upon, but is still going to need help. Moore, a nine-year veteran who was released by the Colts earlier this season, could see some shared carries with Ballard over the last few weeks of the season.