RADIO
Seth McGowan Likely Does Enough to Win the Backup Job
Indianapolis Colts running back Seth McGowan rushed for 20 yards on five carries during Saturday's preseason contest against the Detroit Lions. He also had a five-yard reception in the loss. McGowan finished the preseason with 74 scrimmage yards across three games, and he might have done enough to win the backup job behind Jonathan Taylor. Entering the summer, the backup competition was between McGowan and DJ Giddens, a 2025 fifth-round pick who had 96 rushing yards last year. In addition to out-producing Giddens this preseason, McGowan is younger, although he has slightly lower draft capital as a seventh-round pick. It's important to note that both running backs are merely competing for a handcuff role here, as Jonathan Taylor is the undisputed every-down back in Indianapolis. Taylor was responsible for a whopping 86.6% of the Colts' running back carries last year, and he figures to achieve a similar mark in 2026. If McGowan is confirmed as Taylor's backup, he'll still be avoidable in shallower redraft leagues, and he'll be a mere stash in dynasty and deeper redraft formats.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
DJ Giddens' Preseason Touchdown Possibly Not Enough to Win Backup Job
Indianapolis Colts running back DJ Giddens had two carries, eight rushing yards, and a rushing touchdown during Saturday's preseason contest against the Detroit Lions. He also tallied an eight-yard reception. It was a rewarding game for the second-year back, as the entire bench cleared out and celebrated with Giddens after he scored the first touchdown of his career. However, it may not have been enough to solidify him as the No. 2 running back behind Jonathan Taylor. His primary competition for the backup role is rookie Seth McGowan, who ended up tallying 25 scrimmage yards in the loss, bringing his preseason total to 74 yards. If Giddens somehow opens the regular season as the No. 2 back, he can be stashed in deeper fantasy leagues as a handcuff for Taylor. However, if he drops to third on the depth chart, he will become droppable in almost all leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jonathan Taylor is Not Far Removed from MVP-Caliber Production
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor is a superstar in the NFL, and he could be due for another big year after flirting with the MVP sweepstakes at times last year. Taylor was simply remarkable in the Colts' 10 games prior to the bye, amassing 1,139 rushing yards, 260 receiving yards, and 17 total touchdowns. During that span, he was the overall RB1 in fantasy football, averaging 6.4 points per week more than the second-highest-scoring running back Christian McCaffrey. Taylor's productivity declined after Daniel Jones (Achilles) was shut down for the season, effectively bringing his somewhat improbable MVP candidacy to an end. Assuming he can return to his first-half 2026 form, Taylor should have no trouble turning in another top-five finish. As it stands, he's the RB6 in RotoBaller's latest fantasy football rankings for 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Seth McGowan Poised to Claim RB2 Role in Indianapolis
Indianapolis Colts rookie running back Seth McGowan appears to be the favorite for the backup role behind star Jonathan Taylor. McGowan had eight carries for 27 yards and added five yards on one catch in the 34-6 preseason loss to the Atlanta Falcons. With quarterback Riley Leonard and the backups, McGowan played 27 of 27 snaps and has done a good job in training camp. With second-year back DJ Giddens (hamstring) struggling at camp and expected to miss time, McGowan appears locked into the handcuff role behind Taylor, who has missed 16 games over the last four seasons. Currently ranked as the RB63 in RotoBaller's positional rankings, McGowan could be in a great situation behind an elite offensive line if Taylor is banged up during the season.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
DJ Giddens Returns From Hamstring Injury on Wednesday
Indianapolis Colts running back DJ Giddens (hamstring), who missed a considerable amount of time in training camp due to a hamstring injury, made his return to the practice field on Wednesday, according to Nathan Brown of the Indianapolis Star. Before his hamstring injury, Giddens had mixed in with the first-team offense, but his time away due to injury may have opened the door for rookie sixth-rounder Seth McGowan to claim the RB2 role behind Jonathan Taylor to begin the 2026 regular season. Whoever wins the RB2 job in Indy is looking at a light workload as long as Taylor stays healthy, but it will be worth watching for handcuff purposes in deeper fantasy football leagues. After being selected with the 151st overall pick in the fifth round last year from Kansas State, Giddens saw only 26 rushing attempts for 96 yards (3.7 yards per carry) in nine games played as a rookie. Giddens is currently outside RotoBaller's top 94 rankings at RB for 2026.
Source: Indianapolis Star - Nathan Brown
Source: Indianapolis Star - Nathan Brown
DJ Giddens on the Roster Bubble in Indianapolis?
Indianapolis Colts running back DJ Giddens (hamstring) is on the outside looking in of Colts beat writer James Boyd of The Athletic's latest 53-man roster projection. A fifth-round pick in 2025, Giddens recorded just 26 carries for 96 yards across nine games as a rookie last season. While Indianapolis still does not have an obvious RB2 behind superstar back Jonathan Taylor, Giddens has missed most of training camp with a hamstring injury and may have missed his chance to establish a role in the Colts' offense. Instead of Giddens, Boyd includes seventh-round rookie Seth McGowan and 2025 UDFA Ulysses Bentley IV as the Colts' depth options at running back behind Taylor. Fantasy managers looking for a handcuff option for Taylor may want to turn to McGowan over Giddens.
Source: The Athletic - James Boyd
Source: The Athletic - James Boyd
Jonathan Taylor Still Looks Worth the First-Round Cost
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor is coming off a season that would be hard for almost anyone to repeat, but there still isn't much reason to get cute with him in the first round. Taylor led the NFL with 323 carries, turning them into 1,585 yards and 18 touchdowns, then added 46 catches for 378 yards and two more scores. The 20 total touchdowns are the obvious number to expect some regression from. The workload is another story. Indianapolis still has Taylor clearly atop the depth chart, with DJ Giddens and Seth McGowan behind him, and the Colts just gave the 27-year-old another contract extension. Taylor also scored during red-zone work against New England this week. Daniel Jones is back as the QB1 and has looked healthy in camp, which should help keep the offense functional around him. RotoBaller has Taylor seventh overall in half-PPR and RB4 in their rankings. There are younger backs near the top of drafts, but Taylor is still catching passes, getting the goal-line work and handling as much volume as anyone. He remains worth paying up for.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Seth McGowan Quiet in First Opportunity as a Preseason Starter
Indianapolis Colts rookie running back Seth McGowan started in Thursday's 13-13 preseason opening tie against the New England Patriots. With lead running back Jonathan Taylor held out, McGowan only racked up 17 yards on his five carries and lost a fumble. McGowan was unable to capitalize on this early opportunity to solidify himself as the team's RB2, as fellow running back DJ Giddens (hamstring) was held out of the game due to injury. Deep Dynasty managers should continue to hold out hope for McGowan as the young rookie develops and gains more experience next week against the Atlanta Falcons. If McGowan can earn that RB2 role, he could also be a valuable handcuff for Taylor managers in redraft leagues.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Colts Named as Potential Landing Spot for Najee Harris
The Indianapolis Colts were named a landing spot for current free-agent running back Najee Harris, according to Jason Garcia. Harris's 2025 season with the Los Angeles Chargers was cut short by a ruptured Achilles tendon, marking the first games he had missed in his four-year NFL career. While the Colts just re-signed Jonathan Taylor to a two-year, $44 million extension, they don't yet have a marquee replacement for him. Taylor has averaged more than 22 carries per game over the past two seasons and has missed time due to ankle injuries. With DJ Giddens struggling at camp and only seventh-round pick Seth McGowan behind him, Harris could fill the backup role behind Taylor in Indianapolis.
Source: Jason Garcia- Heavy Sports
Source: Jason Garcia- Heavy Sports
DJ Giddens Remains Out on Saturday
Indianapolis Colts running back DJ Giddens (hamstring) is not practicing on Saturday as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury. Giddens has not practiced since last Sunday and has reportedly struggled to stand out at training camp. In 2025, Giddens had just 26 carries for 96 yards in nine games and had no receptions. Meanwhile, rookie Seth McGowan has shown more flash as a runner and has been compared to David Montgomery. He has begun to separate himself from Giddens as the clear RB2 in Indianapolis behind the newly paid Jonathan Taylor. If Giddens can't recover quickly enough from his hamstring injury, he will likely fall off the fantasy radar in 2026.
Source: Jake Arthur - ColtsRTB
Source: Jake Arthur - ColtsRTB
Seth McGowan Taking Advantage of RB2 Duties
Indianapolis Colts rookie running back Seth McGowan came into training camp competing with second-year runner DJ Giddens for the primary backup role behind the newly extended Jonathan Taylor, and with Giddens recently missing time with a hamstring injury, Colts beat reporter Zach Hicks has been impressed by what he's seen from McGowan in the RB2 role. Taylor recently praised the seventh-round pick, telling reporters, "Everybody thinks he's just like a big power back, but Seth has some moves... If you look at his feet, he reminds me of like a David Montgomery." While unlikely to force the type of committee role Montgomery has been part of in recent seasons in Detroit, McGowan has the opportunity to seize the all-important handcuff role to Taylor, raising his value as a dynasty stash and making him a player to at least keep tabs on in deep redraft leagues.
Source: Zach Hicks
Source: Zach Hicks
Jonathan Taylor Signs Two-Year Extension with Colts
All-Pro running back Jonathan Taylor and the Indianapolis Colts have agreed to a two-year extension that will pay the three-time Pro Bowler up to $47 million and keep him on the team through the 2028 season. The deal includes $39 million in guarantees and makes Taylor the second-highest-paid running back in the league after the Falcons' Bijan Robinson signed a historic deal on Tuesday. Taylor has dealt with injuries for much of his career, playing in 17 games only once over the past four seasons, but when healthy and right, he is one of the most impactful offensive players in the league. He was the fantasy RB1 through the first 13 weeks of 2025 before Daniel Jones' season-ending Achilles injury derailed the offense as a whole. Jones has made remarkable progress and is expected to be the team's Week 1 starter, and should the injury limit his mobility, Taylor could benefit from an increase in checkdowns, only adding to his value and putting him among a handful of backs with overall RB1 upside for 2026.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
Seth McGowan has Been Impressive in Training Camp
Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan continues to be impressed with Indianapolis Colts rookie running back Seth McGowan in training camp. When he was asked about McGowan on Tuesday, starting RB Jonathan Taylor compared McGowan's style to veteran RB David Montgomery. The 24-year-old seventh-rounder from the University of Kentucky is competing for change-of-pace touches with DJ Giddens behind Taylor in his first NFL season with the Colts in 2026. The RB2 role in Indy hasn't been fruitful for fantasy purposes as long as Taylor has been healthy, which means both McGowan and Giddens will probably go undrafted in most standard-sized 12-team leagues this fall. In his final collegiate season with Kentucky in 2025, McGowan ran for 725 yards and a career-high 12 touchdowns on 165 rushing attempts, adding 19 receptions for 126 yards through the air in 11 games played. McGowan isn't much of a third-down back, so his best path to fantasy value will probably be as a goal-line vulture in Indy as he looks to earn more work behind Taylor.
Source: 107.5 The Fan - Kevin Bowen
Source: 107.5 The Fan - Kevin Bowen
Jonathan Taylor has "Faith" in Colts Giving him a New Deal
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor said "there's been some good conversations" regarding his contract talks with the team, and that he has "faith" in the Colts coming through with a new deal, according to Stephen Holder of ESPN. There was some speculation that Taylor would be a hold-in to begin training camp this summer like the Detroit Lions' Jahmyr Gibbs and Atlanta Falcons' Bijan Robinson, but he has been participating in practices as he seeks another big deal with Indy. Both sides appear to be making good progress on an extension, with owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon recently saying that she wants Taylor to be a Colt for the rest of his career. The 27-year-old former second-rounder in the 2020 NFL draft from the University of Wisconsin should be viewed as a top-five fantasy RB in 2026, even though there has been talk of the Colts looking to manage his workload after carrying the ball a league-high 323 times in 2025. The three-time Pro Bowler had 1,583 rushing yards last season in 17 starts and also led the league with 18 rushing touchdowns, adding a career-high 46 catches for 378 yards and two more TDs as a receiver. The Colts don't really have great options behind JT, so he's projected for another heavy workload, giving him a strong fantasy floor as long as he stays healthy.
Source: ESPN.com - Stephen Holder
Source: ESPN.com - Stephen Holder
DJ Giddens Sees First-Team Reps in Practice on Friday
Indianapolis Colts second-year running back DJ Giddens took more first-team reps in training camp practice on Friday with starter Jonathan Taylor being rested, according to James Boyd of The Athletic. Giddens has struggled to catch the ball out of the backfield in team drills, with Boyd saying that he's going to need to clean that up if he wants to secure the backup role behind Taylor in 2026. The 22-year-old former fifth-rounder (151st overall) last year from Kansas State only appeared in nine games with the Colts as a rookie and had 26 rushing attempts for 96 yards and zero touchdowns while adding zero catches on just two targets. Giddens' primary competition for the RB2 role in camp this summer is Seth McGowan. Neither Giddens nor McGowan will be much of a threat to Taylor's overall workload as the Colts' bell-cow back, giving them very little fantasy appeal as handcuff options in very deep fantasy leagues this year.
Source: The Athletic - James Boyd
Source: The Athletic - James Boyd
