The game of football is full of a next-man-up mentality. Therefore, shoring up backup positions is crucial to success. As the Indianapolis Colts look to have running back Jonathan Taylor back fully healthy, they must ensure his backup is solidified. Three guys are vying for that spot, but only one should be the favorite.
Last season, in the absence of Taylor, the Colts utilized multiple running backs, but the clear backup was Zack Moss, who recently signed a deal with the Cincinnati Bengals. The next bell cow, behind Moss, was 2021 third-round pick Trey Sermon. Now on his third team in three years, Sermon will look to make a home in Indianapolis. With his skillset and potential, he is primed to be the Colts next backup.
Why Trey Sermon is Likely to be the Backup Running Back
His Production Speaks for Itself
As mentioned, in 2023, Trey Sermon was the bell cow behind Zack Moss. Sermon never started a game for the Colts, but in 14 game appearances, he had 35 rushing attempts for 160 yards and seven rushing first downs. He was also utilized in the passing game and finished with three receptions on six targets for 13 yards. He also had 99 total rushing yards after contact and four broken tackles.
Sermon’s breakout game came in a blowout win against the Pittsburg Steelers. In that contest, he led the team in rushing. He finished with 17 carries for 88 yards. The production was exploited because Zack Moss (in for the injured Jonathan Taylor) suffered an injury that sidelined him for the rest of the game. Thus, the Colts needed a backup to step up at running back, and Sermon delivered.
He Has Good Experience in His Short Career Thus Far
The Indianapolis Colts is Sermon’s third team in three years. In the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft, Sermon was selected by the San Fransisco 49ers. After playing for the University of Oklahoma and Ohio State in college, Sermon entered the league with a lot of talent and potential. As a rookie, he played in nine games and started two games. That season, he finished with 167 yards on 41 attempts, including three receptions for 26 yards. Unfortunately, his time with the 49ers was short-lived, as he suffered an ankle sprain that sidelined him for eight games.
Sermon eventually got released by the 49ers but was claimed by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2022. As the fourth running back on the depth chart, he did not see much playing time on the field. However, he did sit behind Miles Sanders and the explosive Eagles offense that relied heavily on the run. Thus, he did experience valuable learning opportunities in the Eagles elite running back room.
He has Familiarity With Shane Steichen
The Indianapolis Colts head coach, Shane Steichen, was the offensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2022. At that time, Trey Sermon was on the team and saw firsthand how Steichen’s offense operated. In 2022, the Eagles were an explosive unit. They finished with the fifth most rushing yards, including averaging 147.6 yards per game. They also led the league in rushing touchdowns with 32.
Steichen will look to duplicate this kind of success with the Colts, but to achieve this feat, the backup running back role must be solidified. This is where Trey Sermon could step into that role. He has shown that he can produce in this league. He has also shown experience as a journeyman running back who has seen multiple playbooks and schemes. Lastly, he will get a third year under the leadership of Shane Steichen and his offense. The Colts are in a good spot with their running back situation. All they need to do is shore up the backup position, and Sermon will most likely fill that void.
Main Image: Grace Hollars – USA Today Sports
