Zack Moss News

Moss finished off his late-season surge with a flourish Sunday, eclipsing the 100-yard mark for the first time as a pro in the process. The third-year back certainly seems to have benefited from a combination of interim head coach Jeff Saturday's commitment to the run game and the fresh legs he had late in the season after being used sparingly prior to the final month, as he recorded 65 rushing yards or more in each of the last four contests despite a revolving door at quarterback for Indianapolis. Moss enters the final year of his rookie contract in 2023 and is therefore far from a cap liability, meaning he could certainly have a chance to lay claim to the No. 2 running back role behind Jonathan Taylor (IR-ankle) heading into next season, irrespective of what happens with the team's head coaching job.

Moss was one of the few bright spots on the day for Indianapolis, comfortably pacing the team in rushing yards in what was an extension of what's turning into a late-season audition. Moss has logged double-digit carries in each of his last three contests and has parlayed that opportunity into 208 yards. The fourth-year pro should have another elevated role in the Week 18 finale at home against the Texans' vulnerable run defense.

The Colts played from behind for the majority of the game, though Moss still saw 13 total touches as compared to only three for Deon Jackson. Moss was one of the few bright spots for the Indianapolis offense, as he averaged 5.4 yards per carry and ripped off a 14-yard gain midway through the third quarter -- his longest rush of the day. With Jonathan Taylor (ankle) sidelined for the rest of the season, Moss looks likely to lead the Colts' backfield in the final two contests of the campaign.

The report indicates that who gets the start is in line to be a game-time decision, but a time-share appears to be looming between Moss and Jackson, with Jordan Wilkins a candidate to see Week 16 snaps as well. With Taylor limited to just two snaps in this past Saturday's 39-36 loss to the Vikings, Moss logged 53 snaps en route to carrying 24 times for 81 yards, while Jackson was out there for 25 snaps, rushing 13 times for 55 yards and catching his only target for a one-yard TD. With both backs in line to see their share of touches down the stretch, Moss and Jackson are on the fantasy radar, but it's plausible that the Colts end up using a 'hot hand' approach in terms of dividing the carries through the team's final three contests.

When Taylor departed after playing just two snaps in Saturday's contest, Moss operated as the Colts' clear lead ball carrier, toting the rock 24 times for 81 yards. Jackson was still highly involved in his own right, taking 13 carries for 55 yards and hauling in his lone target for a one-yard touchdown. Given that they mounted a 33-point halftime lead before suffering the biggest collapse in NFL history, the Colts leaned on an extremely run-heavy attack for most of the day, but 37 carries between their top two backs likely won't be a sustainable approach over the final three weeks. Based on their usage against the Vikings, Moss looks like he may be Option 1A on the ground heading into the Colts' Week 16 matchup with the Chargers, with Jackson perhaps handling more of the passing-down work as part of their timeshare in the backfield.

Moss got four rushing attempts on the opening drive after Jonathan Taylor injured his ankle. The last two came from inside Minnesota's five-yard line but netted minus-4 yards. Indianapolis got back in scoring range on the next drive but opted to use Deon Jackson in the backfield instead, and Jackson rewarded that decision by catching a one-yard touchdown. Moss finished with 24 carries to 13 for Jackson, but the Colts could have used Taylor as they let a 33-point lead slip away. If Taylor can't play in Week 16, Moss and Jackson would likely split carries again, though Taylor has an extra day to heal before the Chargers come to town for MNF.