Last Updated on August 31, 2026 7:21 pm
Anderson Castle, the Boone native and Watauga High School graduate who spent the preseason fighting for a roster spot with the Indianapolis Colts, has made the team's practice squad for the 2026 season.
The Colts signed 15 players to their practice squad Monday, including Castle at running back, as the team finalized its roster ahead of the regular-season opener against the Baltimore Ravens on September 13 at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Castle entered training camp as an undrafted free agent buried on the depth chart behind starter Jonathan Taylor, and analysts had largely projected him as a practice-squad candidate rather than a lock for the 53-man roster. He backed that outlook up with a strong preseason, leading the Colts in rushing in back-to-back games — 47 yards on nine carries in his NFL debut against New England on August 13, followed by 41 yards on eight carries against Atlanta on August 22.
Castle's college career spanned six seasons — four at Appalachian State from 2020 to 2024, followed by a graduate transfer season at Duke in 2025. At App State, he served as a team captain and appeared in 54 games as part of a deep backfield rotation, rushing for 1,036 yards and eight touchdowns on 193 carries, including a career-high 119-yard performance in the 2023 Cure Bowl.
His final season at Duke was the best of his college career. Castle carried the ball 115 times for 488 yards and a career-high 12 rushing touchdowns, helping the Blue Devils to their first outright ACC championship since 1962. He punctuated the year with a three-touchdown performance against rival North Carolina in the Victory Bell game and earned ACC Player of the Week honors. Across his full college career, Castle totaled 1,524 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns on 308 carries, adding 36 receptions for 252 yards and another score.
Castle's path to Indianapolis wasn't a direct one, either. He went undrafted in April and did not initially sign with the Colts, instead earning a spot through a tryout at rookie minicamp before signing afterward. He also brings special teams experience from his college days, having logged snaps on kick return, kick coverage, and punt return units throughout his career.
Castle starred at Watauga High School as a dual-threat quarterback and running back, helping the Pioneers to a 36-6 record over three varsity seasons.
Practice squad players can be elevated to the active roster during the season, including for game days, giving Castle a continued path to see the field as the Colts' season gets underway.
