Delone

Carter

“Depending upon what happens with Joe,” said Caldwell, "(Brown’s) role could become a bit more intense these next couple weeks.” Brown and Delone Carter formed a rotation after Addai’s injury in Week 5, and Brown was more effective in terms of yards per carry. It’s interesting to note that Caldwell’s “next couple weeks” comment hints the Colts fear Addai will miss multiple games.

Carter was ineffective outside of the three-yard goal-line score, rotating with Donald Brown after Joseph Addai left due to injury. Addai’s injury seemed significant on the field, and he did not return. Carter and Brown may be set up for 10-15 touches apiece in Week 6 against the Bengals, who boast one of the league’s better run defenses. Carter would be a flex option.

Addai knew he pulled his hamstring right away on a first-quarter run, pumping his fists in disgust. “Sometimes you feel it tear,” Addai said. “This was a little grab. Really won’t know till we get the scan [today].” Delone Carter ended the day with 14 touches while Donald Brown recorded eight.

The Colts don’t speak openly about injury situations, so we’re left to guess about Addai’s chances of playing on Sunday Night Football. The full practice certainly suggests he’s got a shot. It was previously assumed Addai wouldn’t be active for the game. Due to the late start, Delone Carter and Donald Brown now become much very risky bye-week fallback options. Addai also won’t be start-able, even if he’s active. His injury was supposed to be a multi-week deal, so there’s little telling how effective he’d be in the game.

“We want to be tough,” said Pagano, “We want to dominate the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball, specifically up front with the offensive line.” Donald Brown is coming off his best season, but he could be the skill-position player most affected by the change in philosophy. The strength of his game has never been between the tackles.

Pagano is transitioning the offense to a more physical, ground-and-pound approach which suits Carter’s running style more than Brown’s. Carter was severely outplayed by Brown last season, though, struggling with fumbles and failing to show elusiveness. We anticipate steering clear of the Colts backfield by the time fantasy drafts roll around this summer.

Coach Jim Caldwell said Addai is still limited, “not quite 100 percent,” with the hamstring injury. He’s heading toward the same route as the past two weeks, suiting up but not playing. Delone Carter and Donald Brown will likely split touches against the Jaguars.

Addai isn’t mailing in the rest of the season. While most of his teammates are getting away from the nightmare of their 0-10 campaign for a week, the veteran back appears focused on his rehab. It’s impossible to predict a running back depth chart right now in Indy.

“I think Donald just keeps getting better,” said Caldwell. Added C Jeff Saturday, “The guy’s playing great football right now. You can see when he goes in the huddle he wants the football. He wants his touches.” The Colts are running better than they have in years, as evidenced by Browns’ 4.7 YPC. He now has more value than Joseph Addai or Delone Carter in both redraft and keeper formats.

Carter started the game, but fumbled on his second carry. His third carry didn’t come until late in the third quarter. “It’s important,” Caldwell said of ball security. “You’ve got to learn it sometime. I think he will.” Predicting workloads in this backfield has become nearly impossible, especially with Joseph Addai’s (hamstring) status unclear on a week-to-week basis.