Between now and training camp, we will be going through the Indianapolis Colts’ full 90-man roster, previewing each player.
Up next is running back DJ Giddens, who wears No. 21.
Profile
DJ Giddens’ tenure with the Colts
The Colts selected Giddens in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL draft.
Recapping DJ Giddens’ 2025 season
Giddens’ role as a rookie was quite small. He played only 70 snaps on offense and was often inactive due to his lack of special teams contributions and needing to grow in pass protection.
He carried the ball 26 times, averaging 3.7 yards per attempt, and was targeted twice in the passing game.
Looking ahead to 2026 season for DJ Giddens
Giddens will be competing with rookie Seth McGowan for the backup running back role behind Jonathan Taylor. With a year of experience under his belt and another full offseason to work on his craft, Shane Steichen saw growth from Giddens during offseason programs.
“I think there’s growth,” Steichen said. “I think understanding the system going into Year 2 is part of it. And I think we’ll see a lot of the growth going into training camp when the pads come on because it is hard to look at running backs with no pads on, but you can still see a little bit of the vision and the cuts and stuff, but the physicality when the pads come on is a big deal.”
Of course, there will be a certain prerequisite that each of these players must meet as ball carriers to earn that role; the ability to contribute in the passing game, particularly as a blocker, and on special teams, can be differentiators in this competition.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Colts roster preview: Can DJ Giddens win competition for backup RB role?
Reporting by Paul Bretl, Colts Wire / Colts Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Paul Bretl, Colts Wire | USA TODAY Network
