When the national media would list the running back position as an area of need this offseason, the Indianapolis Colts likely scoffed at the idea. They already had an idea of who might be capable of leading the backfield, and he was already on the roster.
Through the first three games of the 2019 season, running back Marlon Mack is proving to be the workhorse the Colts believed him to be. They pounded their chest all offseason for him, and he’s rewarded them with production and optimism for the future.
While there were some that believed more of a committee approach would be used in the backfield, the first three games of the season have shot down any notion of that. Mack has been the clear leader in the backfield, and it’s not even close.
Through the first three games, Mack has taken 67% of the team’s carries. That’s including the scrambles from quarterback Jacoby Brissett. The percentage would be much higher if those were not accounted for.
Among the running backs, this is how the carry count breaks down through the first three weeks:
| Player | Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Total |
| Marlon Mack | 25 | 20 | 16 | 61 |
| Nyheim Hines | 4 | 2 | 2 | 8 |
| Jordan Wilkins | — | 5 | 3 | 8 |
It is abundantly clear that the Colts view Mack as a workhorse back. He’s had more carries in two of his three games than the rest of the backfield has combined on the season. And he’s done so with immense efficiency, averaging 4.9 yards per carry.
Another aspect that shows Mack is truly the three-down workhorse back is his snap count usage. It is proven even more so that Mack has full control of this backfield.
Here’s how the snap counts have broken down through the first three weeks:
| Player | Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Total |
| Marlon Mack | 48 (76%) | 49 (70%) | 44 (62%) | 141 (69%) |
| Nyheim Hines | 17 (27%) | 13 (19%) | 18 (25%) | 48 (24%) |
| Jordan Wilkins | — | 10 (14%) | 10 (14%) | 20 (10%) |
Even with Hines coming off of a stellar rookie season, Mack is the clear three-down workhorse back. Given the success of the rushing attack to open the season, it doesn’t appear that the Colts will be changing their philosophy anytime soon.
The Colts have been committed to the run game all offseason, and it has paid off in a big way to open the 2019 campaign.
They will continue to do so on the back of a stout offensive line while featuring one of the most explosive running backs in the NFL in Mack, who is proving to the Colts he can continue as their workhorse.
