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Colts running back suffers serious injury after controversial tackle at practice

Colts Running Back Suffers Serious Injury After Controversial Tackle at Practice

The Indianapolis Colts may have lost a key backfield piece for the season, and it happened under controversial circumstances.

Running back Salvon Ahmed was carted off the field Sunday after suffering a severe leg injury during a live 11-on-11 drill at Colts training camp. The play that caused the injury? A reported hip-drop tackle by rookie safety Trey Washington—a technique the NFL banned before the 2024 season due to its high risk of injury.

What Happened on the Field?

Ahmed broke free for a long run during full-contact drills at the Colts’ camp. According to reports from The Athletic, Washington chased him down and brought him to the ground using the hip-drop technique—grabbing from behind and dropping his weight directly onto Ahmed’s legs.

Per The Athletic’s James Boyd, Ahmed immediately grabbed his lower right leg and screamed in pain. ESPN’s Stephen Holder noted that his ankle was “stuck in an awkward position.”

Practice came to a halt as trainers rushed to the scene and stretchered Ahmed off the field. He was taken to a local hospital for X-rays. Head coach Shane Steichen later confirmed that Ahmed suffered a “severe leg injury.”

Understanding the Hip-Drop Ban

The NFL outlawed hip-drop tackles in 2024 after data showed the move was 25 times more likely to cause injury than a typical tackle. According to league rules, the tackle is defined by a defender unweighting themselves and dropping onto the legs of the ball carrier from behind.

Steichen told reporters the play in question fit the definition.

“We don’t encourage hip-drop tackles,” Steichen said. “I know Trey’s down in the dumps… but those [backups] are going to have to tackle come preseason.”

Fallout for Ahmed and Washington

Ahmed, 26, signed a one-year, non-guaranteed deal with Indianapolis after four seasons in Miami. In 38 career games, he logged 867 total yards and six touchdowns, averaging 4.3 yards per carry as a rotational back.

The injury could end his 2025 season before it begins—an especially brutal outcome for a player without guaranteed money on his contract.

Washington, an undrafted rookie out of Ole Miss, was fighting for a roster spot. While the hit may not have been intentional, it has drawn scrutiny due to its technique and result.

Teammates React

Veteran linebacker Zaire Franklin offered support for both players following the injury, acknowledging the tension between competition and safety in training camp.

“Young Trey, he’s competing for a job,” Franklin told The Athletic. “We’re not trying to hurt each other, but at the same time, we’re competing… It’s a part of the game, but definitely a tough break for Salvon.”

What’s Next for the Colts?

With Ahmed likely headed to injured reserve, the Colts may need to adjust their running back depth chart ahead of preseason action. The team is already relying on a committee approach behind starter Jonathan Taylor.

Whether or not the league further addresses the hip-drop rule’s enforcement in practice settings remains to be seen, but the incident in Indianapolis is sure to reignite the debate.

Anthony Richardson’s rough start at training camp sparks questions for Colts

The first day of Colts training camp at Grand Park opened with heightened anticipation for Anthony Richardson’s third NFL season. But instead of a commanding performance from the former No. 4 overall pick, Richardson turned in an uneven outing that sparked early questions about his readiness—and whether the quarterback battle in Indianapolis is more real than expected.

Richardson went just 4-for-11 in 11-on-11 drills, struggling with accuracy and anticipation issues that date back to his rookie year. While drops from receivers like Michael Pittman Jr., Ashton Dulin, and Jonathan Taylor affected his numbers, several off-target throws—including on comeback routes to rookie Adonai Mitchell—raised concerns.

A near-interception by Alex Johnson during a winless 7-on-7 stretch further highlighted the rust. Richardson did complete passes to Pittman, Alec Pierce, and rookie Anthony Gould, flashing his arm talent at times, but the offense lacked rhythm overall.

That inconsistency comes with important context. The 23-year-old is still recovering from right shoulder surgery that ended his 2023 season, and soreness sidelined him during parts of minicamp this spring. The Colts have implemented a load management plan to ease him back into full participation without risking setbacks.

“We want him to get all the team reps, so you might not see him throw some individual reps,” head coach Shane Steichen explained.

Richardson also revealed to Pro Football Talk’s Myles Simmons that he dropped 10 pounds over the offseason—down to 240—to increase mobility, following guidance from the Colts’ medical staff. “I just had to listen to the medical team,” he said. “It’s not unusual for me. I was disappointed, but I had to be smart.”

Meanwhile, the arrival of Daniel Jones has added real urgency to the quarterback competition. The seventh-year veteran, acquired from the Giants this offseason, had a more efficient day, going 6-for-7 in 11-on-11s and connecting with Gould on a 30-yard strike. Jones also split team reps evenly with Richardson, though he did throw a 7-on-7 interception to Kenny Moore II.

Speaking to Joel Erickson of the Indianapolis Star, Richardson acknowledged the battle without deflecting. “Of course I’m competing with Daniel, but I’m also competing with myself,” he said. “Trying to be a better version of myself than I was last year.”

There’s no set timeline for naming a starter. Steichen has emphasized the importance of consistency, while general manager Chris Ballard urged patience, citing developmental curves for other young quarterbacks like Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold.

Richardson’s ceiling remains one of the highest in the league. Fan support was evident despite the rough day, and the franchise continues to invest in his progression—especially on intermediate accuracy and decision-making.

So should Colts fans be worried? Not yet. It’s only the first day of camp, and rust was expected after months of recovery and a limited offseason. But if the inconsistencies linger into the later part of August, Jones’ steadier hand could gain traction.