Report: Colts have "some interest" in bringing back running back Ahmad Bradshaw

For the first nine games of the 2014 season, the Indianapolis Colts' top-ranked passing attack was complemented with a perfect fit at running back in Ahmad Bradshaw, who provided a threat as a rusher, receiver, and blocker.  Of course, in the tenth game of the season, Bradshaw suffered a broken leg that ended his season, and the Colts struggled to replace him.

He was a free agent after the season and the Colts opted not to re-sign him, instead adding the ever-reliable veteran Frank Gore.  Furthermore, Bradshaw was suspended one game for violating the league's substance abuse policy, and that added to his recovery from injury meant that he remained unsigned.  Now, however, with his suspension served and his leg healthy, could the Colts have interest in bringing him back?  According to the Indianapolis Star's Stephen Holder, there is indeed some interest there.

With Vick Ballard waived, here's a running back to keep in mind: Ahmad Bradshaw. He's healthy acc to source and Colts have some interest

— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) September 15, 2015

The Colts waived-injured Vick Ballard today, leaving them with only three running backs on the active roster and opening the door for questions about Bradshaw.  Of course, there's also this: the Colts added Zurlon Tipton to the practice squad.  What that suggests to me is that the team is comfortable with Frank Gore, Josh Robinson, and Tyler Varga as their running backs for the time being (and that's a good group, too), but they've brought Tipton back to the organization so that he's in the mix in case they need another back.

Of course, we can't rule out the possibility of bringing back Bradshaw either, despite the signing of Tipton to the practice squad.  Bradshaw was such a dynamic player with the Colts last year, he knows the system, and he could be a huge boost to the offense.  He rushed for 425 yards and two scores last year (averaging 4.7 yards per carry) and caught 38 passes for 300 yards and six touchdowns, accounting for 725 total yards and eight total touchdowns in ten games.  I'd absolutely be in favor of the Colts giving him another look.

Bradshaw has struggled with injuries, however, and so despite the fact that he's a playmaker, it's unknown whether the Colts would actually bring him back.  Rather, they may opt to work with the two rookies, Josh Robinson and Tyler Varga, as the backups for Frank Gore.  We don't know, but what we do know is that Bradshaw is a perfect fit for the Colts' offense and has produced, so it would be a move worth considering.  And according to Stephen Holder, the Colts at least have some interest.