Indianapolis Colts running back Frank Gore will be held on a "pitch count" against the Buffalo Bills this Sunday, according to ESPN.
"We've got to be smart with the amount of carries. He's going to want to play every snap. If we play 80 plays, he's going to want to be in there 80 plays. I think we all know that we can't do that. We need him... So we've got him on a pitch count and we're going to stick to it," said head coach Chuck Pagano, via ESPN.
Last season with the 49ers, Gore carried the ball 255 times for 1,106 yards. The Colts are planning on using the 32-year-old back wisely. The Colts have made the playoffs for three consecutive seasons since drafting Andrew Luck. Each season they have gotten one round further in the playoffs, losing to the New England Patriots in the AFC championship game last season.
The Colts have a ton of talent around their all-star quarterback Luck. With receivers like Andre Johnson, T.Y. Hilton, Donte Moncrief and tight end Coby Fleener, Luck has his choice of targets.
The only issue looking at the Colts offense is lack of depth at running back. Behind Gore, the Colts have Vick Ballard and Josh Robinson. Ballard did not practice Wednesday due to a hamstring injury, and Robinson is a sixth round draft pick who doesn't have experience in the league.
The Colts are likely smart to keep Gore on a pitch count, as he will be crucial to their success in the playoff. Having a good running back in the playoffs is huge and can be the difference playing in winter weather in January. The last time the Colts won the Super Bowl, running back Joseph Addai was huge for them rushing for 294 and two touchdowns in the playoffs. Even though the Colts had a one of the greatest in Peyton Manning, they still needed a solid run game to get over that hurdle.
Luck and the Colts seem to be facing that same hurdle, but to be facing that in only his fourth season is remarkable. Gore will be key to the Colts and Luck's success this season as a complimentary running game is huge come playoff time.
