Monday afternoon brought more bad news on the Colts RB front as Jonathan Taylor's primary backup Zack Moss broke his arm during the teams' practice. With the mystery surrounding Jonathan Taylor and the Colts, an injury in the running back room is even more devastating. 

Unfourtanley, though, it is the reality the Colts face as they now must decide whether to stick with the room as is or fill the void through free agency. 

If the Colts can't salvage their relationship with Jonathan Taylor and he indeed sits out the 2023 season, they could very well need to add a running back with starting experience. 

Jonathan Taylor is a special player and won't be someone the team can simply replace if they can't fix the issues between them. But if their goals are for getting the best production possible out of the run game this season, the free agency market has multiple standouts that can do just that. 

Free Agency options for the Colts

Kareem Hunt

Kareem Hunt is coming off a successful tenure as the backup to Nick Chubb for the Cleveland Browns. Some may even say that Hunt operated as the 1b for the Browns and not the 2 at all. 

If the Colts elected to explore Hunt's services, a selling pitch they could make would be a one-year deal to prove to other teams that he has what it takes to be a stand-alone starter in the NFL. And with Hunt still being available, it seems a team hasn't been able to promise Hunt the same thing. 

Ezekiel Elliott

Ezekiel Elliott, just a few years ago, was known as one of the best running backs in the entire NFL. His injuries as of late led the Dallas Cowboys to release him for salary purposes and roll with his backup Tony Pollard going forward. 

Elliott's likely next team will be a spot where he can prove to the league that his past injuries concerns are exactly that in the past. The Colts need a starting running back, and Elliott needs a spot where he can play as many snaps as possible and remain healthy proving his doubters wrong and setting himself up for a future in the NFL. And with Indianapolis's current RB situation, it just might be the perfect spot for Elliott. 

Leonard Fournette

The Colts saw up close and personal what Leonard Fournette could do in his last game against the team with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2021, when he put up 100 rushing yards on 17 rushing attempts and 3 rushing touchdowns. Fournette may not seem like as top-shelf of an option as Hunt and Elliott, but he may have the ability to do something the others don’t, be a long-term contributor for the Colts.

With Hunt and Elliott as you read above the two most likely would be using the Colts to set up their next opportunity in the league. While it's possible Fournette could do the same, it's much more realistic that he could be interested in a longer-term role. The way the RB market is moving having multiple backs on your roster to contribute when their number is called is likely the way of the future. Fournette could fill in as the starter for the Colts this season and be the 2nd back going forward taking some of the work off Jonathan Taylor if the team is able to salvage that relationship. 

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