Zack Moss leaves lasting impression in Colts RB room

Amid the contract breaches surrounding star RB Jonathan Taylor last summer, there was always a guarantee that Zack Moss would show up on any given day, ready to practice as the undisputed starter.

Although Moss missed the majority of the Colts’ 2023 training camp due to a broken arm, he was present and attentive every day until his return. Once healthy and while Jonathan Taylor remained on the PUP list, Moss would effectively lead the Colts rushing attack for the first quarter of the season.

Zack Moss led the NFL in rushing yards through the first weeks of 2023, ultimately remaining atop the first six weeks of the season while Taylor re-entered the lineup. Moss’ overall campaign of 794 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns resulted in a 2-year, $8 million salary with the Cincinnati Bengals to become t

Fast forward to this summer and Jonathan Taylor remains the only veteran in the RB room. Moss and his “lead by example” mentality would eventually rub off on the young running backs who sat below him on the depth chart a season ago. WISHTV’s Andrew Chernoff and Josh Bode had the chance to chat with Trey Sermon and Evan Hull about Moss’ impact on them and here’s what they had to say.

“Be ready,” fourth-year RB Trey Sermon said. “You never know when an opportunity is going to present itself, so come every day ready to go, prepare like you’re the starter so you’re ready and don’t have to prepare for that opportunity.

Sermon joined the Colts last season, making it his third NFL team in as many years in the league. He totaled 160 rushing yards on 35 carries, including in a game against the Steelers when he ran 17 times for 88 yards, an average of 5.2 yards.

Evan Hull lost his rookie season to a torn meniscus but was recently cleared for a full workload. While being sidelined, Hull was naturally under Moss’ wing and expressed how grateful he was to have a guy like that around.

Second-year RB Evan Hull: “He had that vet presence. When he was on the field, you could see the way he prepared. It wasn’t his first rodeo, you know what I mean? You definitely learn things from a guy like that. That’s definitely what I appreciate as a young guard to see a veteran who’s been through those growing pains and can guide you in the right direction.

This year’s training camp at Grand Park in Westfield, Indiana, will feature a healthy backfield, with no contract disputes floating above like a falling cloud. Zack Moss may no longer be an Indianapolis Colt, but his year and a half stint in Indy proved fruitful for the young backs he encountered. If Sermon or Hull can provide even half the production Moss did a season ago, the legs of Jonathan Taylor and Anthony Richardson will be forever grateful.