The Indianapolis Colts lost their starting running back in Marlon Mack just two quarters into the season after he suffered a torn Achilles against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Now on the injured reserve list for the remainder of the season, Mack won’t be suiting up for the Colts—potentially ever again. Despite not being on the field in 2020 and being in a contract year, Mack has still been in the meetings with the running back room offering to help when he can.
Rookie running back Jonathan Taylor has likened it to having another assistant coach in the room.
This is interesting: Despite suffering his season-ending torn Achilles, Colts running back Marlon Mack has stayed in Indianapolis to help his teammates this season. He's in the RB meetings every week and essentially has become another asst. coach for rookie Jonathan Taylor.
— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) October 26, 2020
Taylor has taken over the starting duties since Mack suffered his season-ending injury. On the season, the rookie has 89 carries for 367 yards and three touchdowns while recording 16 receptions for 162 yards.
It will be interesting to see what happens to Mack after the 2020 season. Will the Colts let him hit the market and move forward with Taylor? Will they re-sign him to a cheap, one-year deal? It isn’t clear at this point.
But the type of culture the Colts have built is apparent when a player in a contract year, who suffered a season-ending injury, is still in the room to help out his teammates—including the rookie who currently has his job.
[listicle id=52201]