Stampede Blue
According to KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson, the Indianapolis Colts worked out three running backs: Israel Abanikanda, Raheem Blackshear, and Damien Martinez:
Originally a 2023 5th round pick of the New York Jets, Abanikanda, a 5’10”, 217 pound former First-Team All-American for Pitt is the biggest name on this short list. During his rookie season in 2023 with the Jets, he had 22 carries for 70 total rushing yards (3.2 ypc. avg.) in 6 games.
He was claimed off waivers by the San Francisco in late 2024 and spent this offseason with the Green Bay Packers, having recently been re-signed to their practice squad and then subsequently waived.
Coming out off Pitt, the former First-Team All-ACC member had a 9.88 RAS out of a maximum 10.0.
Blackshear is a 5,’9”, 190 pound running back, who spent 3 seasons with the Carolina Panthers. He has 52 carries for 203 total rushing yards, as well as 16 receptions for 138 total receiving yards (8.6 ypr. avg.) during 41 career games (2 starts). He also has special teams experience as a kickoff returnman.
At 6’0”, 217 pounds, Martinez was recently a 2025 7th round pick of the Seattle Seahawks. He was waived as part of their final 53-man roster cuts before being re-signed to their practice squad and freshly waived again. He was 2x First-Team All-Pac 12 with Oregon State (2022-23), as well as Pac-12 Offensive Freshman of the Year (2022).
He had a RAS of 8.52 out of a maximum of 10.0, coming out of Oregon State.
While no recent injuries have been reported from Sunday’s road win, the Colts currently have three running backs: Jonathan Taylor, rookie DJ Giddens, and third down back Tyler Goodson on their active roster. They also have veteran Ameer Abdullah and undrafted rookie Ulysses Bentley IV on their practice squad right now.
