Last Updated on August 15, 2026 4:10 pm
Anderson Castle, a Boone native and former Watauga High School standout, played in his first NFL game Thursday night as the Indianapolis Colts opened their preseason slate against the New England Patriots, a contest that ended in a 13-13 tie at Gillette Stadium.
Castle, an undrafted free agent running back who signed with the Colts after going unselected in the 2026 NFL Draft, delivered one of the game's more notable offensive plays — an 18-yard rush that pushed Indianapolis's offense into the red zone in the fourth quarter.
The debut caps a whirlwind six-year college career that began at Appalachian State in 2020 and concluded with a graduate transfer season at Duke in 2025. Across 68 games, Castle rushed for 1,524 yards and 20 touchdowns on 308 carries, adding 36 receptions for 252 yards and another score. His best season came in 2025 at Duke, where he ran for 488 yards and a career-high 12 touchdowns while helping the Blue Devils to their first outright ACC championship since 1962.
Castle has drawn praise from Colts beat writers throughout training camp as a standout among the team's running backs, despite being buried on the depth chart as a UDFA behind starter Jonathan Taylor. With two more preseason games remaining, Castle will look to build on Thursday's showing as he fights for a spot on Indianapolis's regular-season roster.
Castle starred at Watauga High School before heading to Appalachian State, totaling 4,420 rushing yards and 101 total touchdowns over three varsity seasons while helping the Pioneers to a 36-6 record.
