Position Battles: Running Game for the 2013 Indianapolis Colts

The Indianapolis Colts have some tough choices ahead of them.

The Colts have reloaded their running game for 2013, mostly due to a multitude of injuries and inconsistency at that position last season. Nearly every running back on the 2012 roster went down and missed time during the season. The Colts even brought in, released, and then brought back veteran rusher Mewelde Moore in 2012, due to necessity at the position.

Currently, the Colts have seven running backs on their roster. Second-year player Vick Ballard will most likely lead the charge in 2013, plenty of position battles going on behind him. Ballard was brought in the 2012 NFL Draft, possibly to the lack of production that had come from 2011 and 2012 draft picks, Doonald Brown and Delone Carter. Both Brown and Carter have been given chances as starters for this team, and neither seemed to step up and take the reins. Rookie Kerwynn Wiiliams was taken in this year’s draft, but may most likely see the field on special teams, returning kicks and punts.

Last month, the Colts gave a one-year contract to former New York Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw. Bradshaw has battled injury, and spent mandatory mini-camp in a walking boot. Still, the contract is low risk and  high reward for both the player and this team, because Bradshaw will have a very good chance at being Ballard’s back-up.

New acquisitions Davin Meggett and Dan Moore will have a tough time making this roster, considering how full the Colts seem to be at this position. Still, considering the amount of injuries that occurred for the Colts last year, they may need all the healthy bodies they can get.