The Colts have used Marlon Mack sparingly this season, but the fifth-year running back continues to generate some interest ahead of the Nov. 2 trade deadline. Linked to Mack earlier this month, the Chiefs have some company on this front.
While the Chiefs continue to be connected to the former 1,000-yard rusher, USA Today’s Josina Anderson notes the 49ers, Panthers and Saints have also checked in with the Colts on Mack recently (Twitter link). Mack re-signed with the Colts on a one-year deal but has been on the trade block for a bit now.
Indianapolis has Jonathan Taylor and Nyheim Hines locked in as its long-term duo, with Mack logging just 25 carries thus far this season. Mack suffered a torn Achilles’ tendon in Week 1 of last season but has recovered. Taylor gained control of the Colts’ backfield during Mack’s hiatus, and Indy agreed to make an effort at finding Mack a landing spot via trade.
Carolina is without Christian McCaffrey for at least two more games, having placed him on IR with a troublesome hamstring injury last week. Fourth-round rookie Chuba Hubbard leads the Panthers’ backfield, which lost Mike Davis in free agency in March. The Saints released Latavius Murray before Week 1 and are without backup Tony Jones for the time being, while the 49ers have run into a litany of injury issues at running back. San Francisco lost Raheem Mostert for the year, and Kyle Shanahan is targeting November for Jeff Wilson (PUP) to return from his foot injury. The 49ers have also seen promising rookie Elijah Mitchell and veteran JaMycal Hasty run into injury trouble.
Prior to Mack’s Achilles setback, he totaled 1,999 rushing yards between the 2018 and ’19 seasons. Behind Taylor this year, Mack has gained 97 yards on 25 carries. The 25-year-old back is due less than $750K in base salary the rest of the way.
Repeating stories from 2 weeks ago?
Must be an update for Wilson’s mysterious new foot injury
The leader in my mind seems to be KC, but I wouldn’t be shocked if any of those teams made a push. New Orleans is a team that I have trouble figuring, between their QB and HB situation. I could easily see them being aggressive at either position, or sticking Pat with what they have until the offseason. Carolina’s slip makes them more desperate under the thumb of an impatient owner, but it also impacts New Orleans as well-do the Saints, with a sudden opening in the division, choose to try and make a push this year harder than they would have otherwise?
A team that would be truly a dark horse for HBs though I think would be Buffalo. Neither Singletary nor Moss seems to have earned the Bills’ complete trust, and Allen leading the team in rushing in games is so only so sustainable. I would not be shocked to see them try and make a move, especially after that close loss to Tennessee.
I think the Saints would be content with Kamara continuing to be the workhorse. Buffalo will want to keep the ball in Josh Allen’s hands as much as possible so Mack would see few snaps even if signed by them.
I don’t know, I think that Buffalo wants a reliable ground option to alleviate the pressure currently on Allen as a runner. Maybe I’m wrong, but I do see it. Is the want enough to make a trade? Maybe not, but I wouldn’t be shocked.
As far as New Orleans goes, I do agree that they want Kamara as their lead back. But they’ve also used high volume backs as notable tandem partners for him, namely Mark Ingram and Latavious Murray. Kamara was at his best then, when the Saints had another back to spell him and especially to try and run between the tackles (though Murray was not as much of a downhill back as one would think, given his size). With Jones down, the need becomes greater, and I suspect that the Saints were monitoring available backs anyway even before. Does that result in a move? That, I do not know.
Package Deal =
MACK & MYER
For Hire
Doesn’t make any sense to you – you are too young
Mickey Deems & Joey Faye as inept handymen
1963 & 1964 = 100 12 minute episodes
Let’s go Giants start selling off some players Barkley, Engram, Shepard,
Gettleman probably knows he won’t be around to use the draft capital those trades would bring, so don’t expect a house cleaning until he is replaced by a new GM.
Get some secondary help