The Indianapolis Colts are reportedly releasing their Week 1 starting running back in Deon Jackson on Saturday.
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Colts are also elevating running back Trey Sermon from the practice squad, putting him in line to potentially serve as a backup to starter Zack Moss against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.
With star running back Jonathan Taylor on the physically unable to perform list and Moss out due to an arm injury, Jackson got the start in Week 1, but he struggled mightily.
Upon returning to action for last week's win over the Houston Texans, Moss had every running back touch for the Colts with 18 carries and four receptions.
The 24-year-old Jackson spent the past three seasons in Indianapolis with his greatest success coming last season when he appeared in 16 games and made two starts while Taylor was out due to injury.
Jackson rushed for 236 yards and one touchdown, while averaging 3.5 yards per carry, and he also caught 30 passes for 209 yards and a score.
Given that he was relatively effective last season, there was some thought that Jackson would be the top option to fill in for Taylor this season, but he could not capitalize on his opportunity.
Receiving the bulk of the backfield opportunities in Week 1 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Jackson rushed for just 14 yards on 13 carries, caught five passes for 14 yards and fumbled twice.
That performance dropped Jackson down in the pecking order, and Moss took advantage by rushing for 88 yards and one touchdown on 19 carries, while also catching four passes for 19 yards last week.
Sermon, 24, was a third-round draft pick by the San Francisco 49ers out of Ohio States in 2021, but he has yet to find his footing at the NFL level.
After rushing for 167 yards and one touchdown in 41 carries with the 49ers as a rookie, Sermon was waived and claimed by the Eagles.
He appeared in two games for the NFC champions last season, gaining 19 yards on just two carries.
Moss will be the unquestioned No. 1 running back on Sunday, and while Sermon could potentially get a few touches, he may also have to contend with Jake Funk, who carried twice for 10 yards and had one catch for 12 yards in Week 1.
