Indianapolis Colts: Donald Brown Eager for Fresh Start, Feature Back Status

By Raj Prashad
NFL Writer

For Indianapolis Colts running back Donald Brown, progress as he develops into a solidified professional has been gradual.

He never really saw a spike in carries other than from his first year to the second, but his numbers have increased every season in almost every statistical category.

And now, with the Andrew Luck Era fully under way, Brown is expected to emerge as the full-time back.

According to Phil Richards of the IndyStar, “Brown will share snaps and carries this season, but coach Chuck Pagano has made it clear that Brown is No. 1.”

“He will have every opportunity to do more than he did last season, and he certainly will start more than two games,” Richards continued.

With a career-high and team-leading, 134 rushing attempts in 2011, Brown broke through for a stout 645 yards on the year.

The former first-round pick started two games, but appeared in 16, as the injury-riddled Colts coasted to a 2-14 record.

It was a win in itself for Brown to appear in all 16 games after playing in 11 and 13 games in his first and second year, respectively. Over his career, Brown has fumbled the ball a grand total of once, giving Indianapolis confidence in handing him the rock on a consistent basis.

Last season, his yards per reception fell, but the fourth-year back exceeded expectations when he averaged just over 40 yards per game. Individually, Brown found the end zone five times – scoring as many times as he did in his first two years combined. As a team, Indianapolis only rushed for a touchdown three other times that season.

His 80-yard dash to the end zone against the Tennessee Titans in Week 15 gave the Colts their first win of the season. More importantly, that play brought Indianapolis out of their massive slump.