The Indianapolis Colts have leaned on their rushing attack for several years. The loss of Jonathan Taylor to start the season was thought to be a huge blow to the Colts' offense.
Fast forward to Week 10, and Zack Moss is second in the NFL in rushing and Taylor is beginning to return to form after injury.
If Kenny Moore's AFC Defensive Player of the Week award is more of a conventional honor, NFL.com named several "Unconventional Awards" for 2023 this week. NFL.com named Moss Most Improved Player.
Most improved player (offense): Zack Moss, RB, Indianapolis Colts. The Colts have endured their share of problems on offense, including the shoulder injury that ended the season of rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson. Moss has been one of the bright spots for a team that probably wasn't anticipating him being one of the league's top rushers at this stage of the season. That's exactly where Moss sits, as he came into Week 9 ranked third in the league in rushing. He now has 615 yards on the year, which is more production than he ever generated in any of his first three seasons (the first two-plus of which were spent in Buffalo before the Bills sent him to Indianapolis at last year's trade deadline). Moss was a solid player in Buffalo. He's been a revelation for the Colts, a blue-collar ball carrier who's equally adept at banging between the tackles and contributing as a receiver out of the backfield. Moss was able to jump out to a fast start because star running back Jonathan Taylor was hurt. He's surely done enough to deserve his share of touches with Taylor back in the mix. -- Jeffri Chadiha, NFL.com
Moss's touches have gone down since the return of Taylor, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. He had 97 touches through the first-four games of the season, a pace that would have put him over 400 on the year.
With Taylor back, he has been able to share the load and hopefully remain healthier and stronger as the season wears on.
Moss has been spectacular for the Colts on so far this season, and he's getting the recognition he deserves.
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