Colts 'Been in Touch' With 2 Former 1,000-Yard Rushers: Report
The Indianapolis Colts have become dangerously thin at running back to begin the 2023 season. Jonathan Taylor began the season on the PUP list while Zack Moss and Evan Hull have sustained more recent injuries.
Deon Jackson and Jake Funk are the only healthy backs on Indianapolis' roster.
With that in mind, it makes sense that the Colts are being connected to running backs such as D'Andre Swift in trade rumors.
But the Colts don't have to execute a trade to land a highly-regarded back. There's a few available in free agency.
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported on Wednesday that the Colts have contacted former rushing champion Kareem Hunt and two-time 1,000-yard rusher Leonard Fournette.
"With several injuries at running back, the Colts are still monitoring the market," Fowler wrote. "They've been in touch with free agents Kareem Hunt and Leonard Fournette.
"That's a position to watch in Indy as the Colts cycle through options."
Hunt led the NFL in rushing as a rookie with 1,327 rushing yards in 2017. He also finished second for the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year award.
During his second season, he gained 824 rushing yards in just 11 games. But the Chiefs released him on November 30, 2018 after video of Hunt kicking a woman on the ground from the previous February surfaced.
The woman didn't take the case to court, so Hunt was never charged with a crime.
The following season, Hunt joined the Cleveland Browns. As Nick Chubb's backup for four years, Hunt posted 1,874 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns in 49 games.
Fournette also entered the league in 2017. The Jacksonville Jaguars drafted Fournette at No. 4 overall in the NFL draft (Hunt was a third-round pick). Fournette rushed for 1,040 yards and nine touchdowns as a rookie.
He reached a career-high 1,152 rushing yards during his third season in 2019.
Over the past three years, Fourentte played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He posted 600 yards from scrimmage in 2020, helping the team win the Super Bowl.
Fournette had more than 1,190 yards from scrimmage each of the past two years.
Either veteran would be a backfield upgrade based on who is currently healthy for the Colts.
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