DJ Giddens Injury News & Updates

Giddens (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Falcons in Berlin.

Giddens will be in street clothes for the second straight game while the Colts go with Tyler Goodson and Ameer Abdullah as their backup options behind starting running back Jonathan Taylor. The rookie fifth-round pick out of Kansas State had suited up in each of Indianapolis' first eight games, carrying 18 times for 66 yards (3.7 average) while failing to record any receptions on two targets.

Giddens is inactive for Sunday's game against the Titans.

With Giddens the odd man out in the Colts' Week 8 backfield, Ameer Abdullah and Tyler Goodson (in his return from a groin injury) are available to work behind Jonathan Taylor versus Tennessee.

Giddens played just three snaps on offense in Sunday's win over the Chargers. He didn't have a carry or target in the win.

Giddens appears to have been bypassed by Ameer Abdullah in the pecking order for carries. Abdullah had two carries for 19 yards, including a carry early in the third quarter. It was assumed Giddens would be the running back who would get the most work if Jonathan Taylor were to get hurt, but Abdullah's emergence the last two games puts that in doubt. However, Tyler Goodson could emerge as the No. 2 running back when he returns from a groin injury. However, Jonathan Taylor is getting almost every touch in the backfield in non-blowouts, so any of his backups isn't likely to have much production.

Giddens did not have a carry nor was targeted in the passing game in Sunday's win over Arizona. He played just two snaps on offense.

It was surprisingly Ameer Abdullah who had both a carry and reception in the game and played three snaps on offense. Giddens is still likely the running back who would get the most work if Jonathan Taylor were to get hurt (though Tyler Goodson has been sidelined with a groin injury). Either way, Taylor is getting almost every touch in the backfield in non-blowouts and that doesn't look likely to change barring injury.

Giddens had five carries for 22 yards and no receptions with a drop on his one target in Sunday's win over Las Vegas.

Giddens played on nine of the offense's 66 snaps. He was used in the second quarter before the game became a blowout which was encouraging as the Colts had gone several games without giving starter Jonathan Taylor any rest in a close game. However, Giddens dropped a catchable ball on the offense's second series. Amer Abdullah did score a rushing touchdown late in the game, but he's a clear third or fourth option in the backfield as he got time in a blowout win.

Giddens did not have a carry or target in Sunday's loss at the Rams. He played just four snaps on offense.

Jonathan Taylor against got almost every touch in the backfield as Tyler Goodson had one reception for no gain and played four snaps. Goodson left the game with a groin injury, so Giddens could be the exclusive backup running back next week against Las Vegas. However, Taylor is getting almost every snap in the backfield with the Colts making little effort to work in any backups.

Giddens had one carry for three yards in Sunday's win at Tennessee.

Giddens played just eight snaps on offense. Tyler Goodson made his regular season debut after missing the first two games due to an elbow injury and played four snaps and had two carries for six yards. It's not clear who is Taylor's primary backup as Goodson could be used in more passing situations, but neither backup is getting much usage as Taylor again got almost all the opportunities (17 carries and four targets) and played on 77% of the offense's snaps.

Giddens did not have a carry and did not catch his lone target in Sunday's win over the Broncos. He played just five snaps on offense.

Giddens had 12 carries in Indy's Week 1 win and it appeared he'd get regular duty to spell Jonathan Taylor. However, Taylor got every carry (25) Sunday showing the coaching staff isn't overly concerned with giving him rest in close games.

Giddens had 12 carries for 41 yards in Sunday's win over Miami.

Giddens took over for Jonathan Taylor for a series in the third quarter when he needed a rest and didn't look overmatched in his Colts debut. Giddens looks like he could get consistent touches to spell Taylor during games, however the return of Tyler Goodson (elbow) as early as next week could divide the backup touches in the backfield.

Giddens rushed six times for 22 yards in the Colts' 41-14 preseason win over the Bengals on Saturday afternoon.

Giddens served as the starting running back and handled the Colts' first touch from scrimmage, gaining six yards on that carry. The rookie fifth-round pick is thought to have a solid path to the No. 2 role behind Jonathan Taylor, and the fact his primary competition for that job, Tyler Goodson, missed Saturday's game with an elbow injury only figures to strengthen Giddens' chances.

Giddens is on track for the No. 2 running back role, according to ESPN's Stephen Holder.

Giddens worked ahead of Tyler Goodson in the Colts' second preseason game, even taking a handful of first-team snaps, while Goodson only played with the backups (and then left early due to a shoulder injury). Khalil Herbert (undisclosed) was already unavailable, and Giddens then furthered his case for the backup role by taking six carries for 28 yards. It's still possible the Colts defer to experience and enter Week 1 with Goodson as their No. 2 RB, but Giddens should have a chance to move up soon enough even if he starts off third in the pecking order. That said, there's no real hope for Year 1 fantasy value without workhorse Jonathan Taylor missing time.

Giddens rushed six times for 28 yards, brought in one of three targets for nine yards and returned one kickoff for 27 yards in the Colts' 23-19 preseason loss to the Packers on Saturday afternoon.

Giddens was the beneficiary of an early exit by Tyler Goodson (elbow), which led to the former seeing enough opportunity to finish with a team-high rushing yardage total. Giddens, a rookie fifth-round pick who exceeded 1,200 rushing yards in each of his last two college seasons, was reasonably productive with his touches, and he offered a solid gain on his one kickoff return. Veteran Khalil Herbert, seemingly Giddens' biggest competition for the No. 3 running back job, remained out with an undisclosed injury Saturday, so the versatile first-year back appears to be in increasingly good position to latch on to a roster spot.

Giddens took six carries for 17 yards and had one incomplete target in Thursday's preseason opener at Baltimore.

With Jonathan Taylor and most other starters rested, RB Tyler Goodson got the start and the first carry, but it was Giddens who took most of the snaps in the first half after Daniel Jones replaced an injured Anthony Richardson (finger) at quarterback. Neither Giddens nor Goodson made much of an impression, but they at least worked ahead of Khalil Herbert, who got zero touches in the first half and then scored a TD in the third quarter. As a rookie fifth-round pick, Giddens likely will be kept on the Week 1 roster even if the Colts settle on Goodson or Herbert as their No. 2 RB.

Giddens is listed as the No. 3 running back on the Colts' first unofficial depth chart of the preseason.

He's behind starter Jonathan Taylor and Tyler Goodson. While Giddens is seen having a strong camp so far, Goodson could be given deference as a returning veteran or may be listed as the second back because he could have a role on passing downs if Jonathan Taylor is healthy. However, Giddens may be the more likely candidate for the bulk of carries if Taylor were to get hurt, though Khalil Herbert could aslo be in the mix.

The Colts selected Giddens in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, 151st overall.

Formerly a zero-star recruit, Giddens worked his way up Kansas State's depth chart to start in his final two college seasons. He rushed for 1,200-plus yards in each of those two years and was named to the Second Team All-Big 12 roster in 2024. Giddens' cutback ability and lateral quickness makes him a dangerous runner in the open field, which makes up for his lack of effectiveness between the tackles. His elusiveness as a runner and pass-catching ability should allow him to compete with Khalil Herbert and Tyler Goodson for a rotational role in the Colts' backfield behind starter Jonathan Taylor.