The Indianapolis Colts were dealt a heavy blow to their 2020 season when it was confirmed that running back Marlon Mack won’t return due to a torn Achilles.
27-20 losers to the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week One action, Indianapolis started its 2019 season with a similar blow when QB Andrew Luck retired right before the season began.
More About Marlon Mack
Drafted in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL draft by the Colts, Mack has steadily increased his rushing totals each of his first three seasons with 358 yards in 2017, 908 yards in 2018 and 1,091 yards in 2019. He had 9 touchdowns in 2018 as well.
The RB has never played a full 16-game slate though. 2020 looks like it will just be one game for him, and he is due to become a free agent at the end of 2021. It could spell the end of his time with the Colts.
Will Philip Rivers Help The Colts Offence?
The Colts were 7-9 in 2019 after starting 5-2. They had a 5-6 record though in one-score games and suffered from the loss of Luck along with other offensive threats like Mack due to injury.
They brought in veteran QB Philip Rivers this season from San Diego who worked well with Coach Frank Reich in a previous life with the Chargers.
Rivers has a one-year, 25 million dollar contract with the Colts. With two picks already in Game One, he is on pace for 32 picks if the trend continues. The 17-year veteran quarterback did have as many as 21 picks with the Chargers while they were still in San Diego in 2016. Rivers threw 20 picks last year.
In Rivers’ defence though, He’s sixth in passing yards (59,271) and passing touchdowns (397) all-time. Brett Favre and Dan Marino are the only two Hall of Fame-eligible quarterbacks ahead of him on either list.
Rivers has Chad Kelly and Jacoby Brissett backing him up. Kelly was waived on September 5th, but the Colts claimed him the next day. Chad is the nephew of Buffalo Bills legend Jim Kelly.
Brissett started well for the Colts, but the team went 3-6 over its last nine games, and he threw four touchdowns to three interceptions. Overall, he finished the season with 2,942 passing yards, 18 passing touchdowns, and six interceptions.
What Other Offensive Weapons Do The Colts Have?
Along with Rivers, USC wideout Michael Pittman Jr. and Wisconsin workhorse Jonathan Taylor were drafted in the 2nd round and should help the Colts on offence.
With Mack out, Taylor will be called upon to shoulder the load on the ground. He topped the 2,000-yard mark each of the past two seasons and caught six passes for 67 yards while running nine times for 22 yards against the Jaguars.
Indianapolis also made serious efforts to bolster their offensive line, which should shield Rivers and help Taylor. Left Tackle Anthony Castonzo was given two years. The line itself didn’t have a missed start last year. They were also 7th in rushing yards.
The Colts are back in action this coming Sunday when they take on the Minnesota Vikings.
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