Stephen Holder

stephen.holder@indystar.com

Eagles at Colts, 7 p.m. Saturday, WTTV-4

INDIANAPOLIS – Before the start of the 2015 season, the Indianapolis Colts devised a plan to limit running back Frank Gore to an undisclosed number of carries, an effort aimed at keeping the veteran injury-free.

Then came a series of unforeseen developments: injured running backs, injured quarterbacks, an underperforming offensive line, a struggling offense.

When the dust settled, Gore had 260 rushing attempts – fifth most in the NFL. So much for the so-called “pitch count.”

Now, heading into 2016, coach Chuck Pagano again vows to strictly manage Gore’s carries.

“We have to be very, very smart to make sure that we have him available for 16 games and he’s healthy and he’s fresh and he’s out there,” Pagano said. “He’s obviously a really good player. We have a number in mind and we’ll try to do our very best to stick with that number.”

Time will tell how the plan plays out this time. But if the Colts actually stick to this, someone must be ready to take the load off the 33-year-old Gore.

Will it be veteran backup Robert Turbin? Could it be multi-purpose back Jordan Todman? Or will rookie Josh Ferguson seize his opportunity?

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That’s what the Colts would like to know. And they won’t know, Pagano said, until someone separates from the pack as the position battle at running back continues Saturday night in the Colts’ preseason matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles.

“This game and the next game are going to be very important to the rest of those guys behind (Gore),” Pagano said. “All those guys are going to get some reps and somebody’s got to start to emerge.”

There hasn’t been much in the way of emergence when you consider the Colts’ leading rusher so far this preseason is third-string quarterback Stephen Morris. Todman’s 22 yards on five carries is practically prolific when you consider the remaining backs’ production.

But based on practices and the limited showing in preseason games, here’s the picture that’s developing:

Turbin looks like the likely No. 2 back. It’s a job he’s performed before (behind Marshawn Lynch in Seattle) and feels he’s perfectly suited for.

“That’s been my entire career, basically,” Turbin said. “There were times when I ran the ball on first and second down, but a lot of my runs came on third down. A lot of my plays were coming out of the backfield catching the ball, a lot of 2-minute (drills) before halftime. Those were the roles I played basically my entire career in Seattle. It’s definitely a role that I’m used to.”

Todman is interesting and has made a strong case to be on the final roster. He provides a change of pace to the more physical Gore and Turbin, bringing quickness and elusiveness. At 5-10 and 200 pounds, he’s a bit smaller than the 217-pound Gore and the 225-pound Turbin, but he brings more speed as a result. Todman showed that on a 42-yard touchdown catch-and-run against the Buffalo Bills two weeks ago. Todman is also a core special-teams player, something that makes him valuable as a backup.

“Anytime you flash on film and show the team – not just in practice but on game days – what you can do in situations, it’s definitely helpful,” he said.

Regarding special teams, Todman said, “It’s about the more you can do. When you put it together with special teams, I feel it’s definitely an advantage.”

The promise Ferguson offered coming into the season has not translated thus far. The Colts had extremely high hopes after signing him as an undrafted free agent from Illinois, but he has been frustrating to watch rushing for 9 yards on 13 carries this preseason. That’s not to say he had wide running lanes; the run blocking has been lacking, at best. But throw in the fact that Ferguson has had a couple of missed assignments as a pass protector and one could argue he faces an uphill climb against the veterans.

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But the Colts still love Ferguson’s potential.

“He’s a third down matchup nightmare,” Pagano said.

The Colts haven’t enjoyed much continuity in their reserve running back ranks of late. They’ve been on an annual search for a complementary running back that has hit numerous dead ends: three consecutive season-ending injuries for Ahmad Bradshaw; Vick Ballard’s Achilles tendon; Josh Robinson’s fumbles; Tyler Varga’s concussion.

The Colts might have the best of intentions here. But if they’re truly going to limit Gore’s carries, they have to be certain someone is there to effectively take on the extra attempts.

That is something they are very much still trying to determine.

Follow IndyStar reporter Stephen Holder on Twitter: @HolderStephen.

Eagles at Colts, 7 p.m. Saturday, WTTV-4