Last Updated on August 22, 2026 7:16 pm
Anderson Castle, the Boone native and Watauga High School graduate fighting for a spot on the Indianapolis Colts' roster, led the team in rushing for the second consecutive preseason game Saturday, carrying eight times for 41 yards in a 34-6 loss to the Atlanta Falcons at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Castle's longest gain of the day came on a 10-yard inside run that moved the chains for an Indianapolis offense that struggled throughout the afternoon, finishing with just 171 total yards against Atlanta's reserves.
The performance follows Castle's NFL debut on August 13, when he rushed for 47 yards on nine carries in a 13-13 tie against the New England Patriots, a game that included an 18-yard run that pushed the Colts into the red zone.
Castle signed with Indianapolis as an undrafted free agent following the 2026 NFL Draft, capping a six-year college career that began at Appalachian State and concluded with a graduate transfer season at Duke in 2025. He 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.
With NFL teams required to trim rosters to 53 players within the next week, Castle's back-to-back showings as Indianapolis's leading rusher come at a critical moment. He entered training camp buried on the depth chart behind starter Jonathan Taylor, and most analysts have projected him as a practice-squad candidate rather than a lock for the 53-man roster. His preseason production gives the Colts something to weigh as final cuts approach.
Indianapolis closes out its preseason slate against the Detroit Lions before final roster decisions are made.
