On Monday, the Jacksonville Jaguars announced the signing of Indianapolis Colts free agent veteran running back Ameer Abdullah among their other roster moves.
The 32-year-old running back helped serve as a third down running back for the Colts last season, after being promoted from the team’s practice squad in early September following an injury to teammate and fellow backup running back Tyler Goodson.
During 13 games for the Colts in the 2025 regular season, Abdullah had 14 carries for 60 total rushing
yards and a rushing touchdown, as well as 16 receptions for 99 total receiving yards. He also played in 39% of Indianapolis’ total special teams snaps, as the 8-year veteran also contributed on special teams—including as both a punt and kick returner respectively.
Having already seen Goodson depart to the Atlanta Falcons in free agency, the Colts are clearly shaking up their backfield behind star workhorse Jonathan Taylor and looking to get younger. 2nd-year pro DJ Giddens is still a holdover in their backfield, while the team added rookie running back Seth McGowan with a 7th-round pick.
That being said, they’ve lost both of their potential veteran third down running backs with both Goodson and now, Abdullah signing in free agency elsewhere. It’ll be interesting to see who the Colts add to fill that receiving scat-back role, as neither Giddens nor McGowan seem especially experienced or comfortable in that regard.
Those younger running backs could obviously improve, but that could be a hole currently for the Colts backfield to look out where additional help may be ultimately needed.
It’s worth noting that 2nd-year pro Ulysses Bentley IV, who was largely on the Colts practice squad last year as an undrafted rookie running back, is also set to compete in training camp and preseason for a future roster spot.
