Taylor, who averaged just 13.3 PPR points per game last year (18th-most among RBs), is now facing an uncertain future after a trade request did not come to fruition before cutdown day and the team chose to keep the former star runner on the PUP list, which will cost him at least the first four games of the season even if he is dealt before Week 1. He may be a top-five player at the position when healthy, and if he were to miss four games, he'd be worth taking around the same spot in drafts as Breece Hall. But with even more uncertainty baked in, it's hard to trust Taylor as a top-24 draft pick at the position. Draft him in the middle rounds with the intent of keeping him on your bench for the foreseeable future.
Colts' Jonathan Taylor: Officially out for Week 14
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Colts head coach Shane Steichen confirmed Friday that Taylor (thumb) is out for Sunday's game against the Bengals, Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan Indianapolis reports.
As expected, Taylor will miss his second straight game after he failed to practice in any fashion this week while he continues his recovery from right thumb surgery. Per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Colts are bracing for a 3-to-5-week absence for Taylor, so the standout running back may be unlikely to make it back for Indianapolis' Week 15 matchup with the Steelers on Dec. 16. Zack Moss should handle a three-down role out of the Colts backfield for the duration of Taylor's absence.
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Colts' Jonathan Taylor: Sits out Wednesday's practice
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Taylor (thumb) is listed as a non-participant on Wednesday's estimated practice report.
Taylor is unlikely to practice or play this week, after Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported Sunday that the running back was likely facing a 3-to-5-week recovery after undergoing thumb surgery Nov. 29. Zack Moss likely will get a large workload this Sunday against the Bengals after playing 94 percent of the snaps on offense in an overtime win over the Titans in Week 13.
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Colts' Jonathan Taylor: Facing 3-to-5-week recovery
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Taylor is expected to require 3-to-5 weeks to recover from the right thumb surgery he underwent Wednesday in Los Angeles, sources tell Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
The estimated recovery timeline provided by Rapoport differs slightly from the one Colts owner Jim Irsay initially offered up Tuesday, when he said the star running back would be sidelined for 2-to-3 weeks, according to James Boyd of The Athletic. Because it's not a given that Taylor will need to miss at least four games while recovering from the procedure, the Colts will hold off on placing him on injured reserve with the hope that he'll be ready to play Week 16 in Atlanta or possibly even Week 15 versus Pittsburgh. At least for the next two games, however, Zack Moss is primed to step in as the Colts' lead back, a role he handled between Weeks 2 and 4 while Taylor was completing his recovery from January ankle surgery. Moss played more than three-fourths of the Colts' offensive snaps in each of those three contests while averaging 24.0 touches per game, so he could end up handling one of the heavier workloads among all backs in the league for however long Taylor is sidelined.
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Colts' Jonathan Taylor: Status uncertain due to thumb issue
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Taylor suffered a thumb injury in Sunday's 27-20 win over the Buccaneers that will require further evaluation and could threaten his availability, sources tell Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
The Colts didn't provide any indication that Taylor emerged from the Week 12 contest with an injury after he played 42 snaps and carried 15 times for 91 yards and two touchdowns in the win over Tampa Bay. An update on Taylor's status will likely come within the next day or two once he undergoes a more thorough evaluation, but with his availability for Sunday's game in Tennessee -- and potentially beyond -- now up in the air, Zack Moss could see a significant role in the backfield once again. Moss had previously served as the Colts' clear lead back in Weeks 2 through 4 while Taylor opened the season on the PUP list.
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Colts' Jonathan Taylor: Finds end zone in Carolina
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Taylor carried the ball 18 times for 47 yards and caught all five of his targets for 22 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 27-13 win over the Panthers.
The rushing yards total was his lowest since Week 6, but Taylor made an impact as a receiver instead, taking a screen pass from Gardner Minshew 10 yards for a TD in the second quarter. The running back has brought in at least three catches in three of his last four games, posting a 14-115-1 line on 17 targets over that stretch. Taylor should again be one of the focal points of the Colts' offense in Week 10 against a Patriots defense that's given up a touchdown to a RB in three straight contests.
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Colts' Jonathan Taylor: Another encouraging effort in loss
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Taylor rushed 12 times for 95 yards and brought in one of two targets for two yards in the Colts' 38-27 loss to the Saints on Sunday.
Taylor put together an impressive performance on the ground for the second straight week, but he notably logged just one more carry than backfield mate Zack Moss, who also recorded the Colts' only rushing touchdown. Taylor also only had one carry in the second half. Taylor appears to be explosive following his offseason ankle surgery, but with Moss also remaining effective and a similarly proficient pass catcher, it appears the duo will continue to operate in a fairly even timeshare for the foreseeable future. Taylor draws a favorable matchup in Week 9 on the road against the vulnerable Panthers run defense.
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Colts' Jonathan Taylor: Totals 120 yards in split backfield
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Taylor rushed the ball 18 times for 75 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 39-38 loss to the Browns. He added three receptions on four targets for 45 yards.
Taylor split carries with Zack Moss evenly, similar to the workload split in Week 6. While that's a disappointing outcome for Taylor, his performance was excellent. His longest gain on the ground went for 24 yards, and he also chipped in lengthy gains of 20 and 19 yards as a receiver. Taylor supplemented his yardage total with a five-yard touchdown run to record his first score of the season. The ongoing backfield split will keep Taylor's potential tempered, but he appears to have regained his explosiveness and efficiency.
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Colts' Jonathan Taylor: Sit Him (Lineup Decisions)
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Until there's more evidence that Taylor is back to his old self and/or the Colts give him goal line chances, he's got to be used as a borderline flex in PPR and as a desperation start in non-PPR. I'd sit Taylor for the guys I'd start Moss over, but I'd give Taylor a chance over Rachaad White, Justice Hill and any Cardinals RB.
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Colts' Jonathan Taylor: Sit Him (Lineup Decisions)
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Because Taylor is still ramping up and it takes as many as four weeks to "get right," Moss should lead the way and could see as many as 15 touches and Taylor as many as 10. I'd view Taylor as at best a bye-week replacement with an eye on his Week 9 matchup at Carolina as his breakout game.
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Colts' Jonathan Taylor: Larger workload expected Week 6
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Head coach Shane Steichen said Wednesday that the Colts plan to ramp up Taylor's workload Sunday against the Jaguars, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.
Taylor played just 10 snaps in his season debut against the Titans in Week 5, logging six carries and one catch during his brief time in the game. He had spent the first four weeks of the season on the PUP list due to an ankle injury and was signed to a three-year, $42 million extension shortly after being activated. Zack Moss rushed for 165 yards and two touchdowns against Tennessee, and while Moss has likely earned himself a regular role on offense moving forward, Taylor should get the majority of backfield touches once he's up to full speed.
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Colts' Jonathan Taylor: Limited in return
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Taylor (ankle) carried the ball six times for 18 yards in Sunday's 23-16 win over the Titans. He added one reception for 16 yards.
Taylor made his season debut after being activated from the PUP list, though he was eased back in his return. His longest gain on the ground went for only five yards, and his biggest contribution came as a pass catcher. Taylor's workload will undoubtedly tick up in future games, but Zack Moss has performed well as the lead back and could remain a part of the offensive gameplan more than previously expected.
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Colts' Jonathan Taylor: Deemed questionable for Sunday
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The Colts list Taylor (ankle) as questionable for Sunday's game against the Titans.
Taylor was able to practice fully this week, but in order for the running back to play this weekend, the Colts must activate him from the reserve/PUP list ahead of Saturday's deadline to do so in advance of Week 5 action. Per Joel A. Erickson of The Indianapolis Star when asked if Taylor would play Sunday, coach Shane Steichen said, "We'll see." The fact that Taylor has been deemed questionable by the team suggests that it's not a lock that he'll be activated to face Tennessee, but if he does end up suiting up he'd reenter a backfield that's been led capably out of the gate by Zack Moss, a context that could potentially result in an initial timeshare.
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Colts' Jonathan Taylor: Puts in full practice
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Taylor (ankle) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.
Taylor had been listed as a full participant for the team's first Week 5 session Wednesday, when the Colts opened his 21-day evaluation window for a return from the PUP list. However, since Indianapolis merely held a walk-through Wednesday, Taylor's ability to take every rep in a more traditional practice Thursday provided further confirmation that he's fully recovered from the right ankle surgery he underwent in late January. According to Stephen Holder of ESPN.com, Taylor implied that he's still committed to the Colts, despite putting in a request for a trade in August after not getting a contract extension offer to his liking earlier in the offseason. Taylor thus looks like he has a chance to play Sunday against the Titans, though the Colts may not provide clarity on that front until after Friday's practice or even until Saturday, the deadline for Indianapolis to make any additions to the 53-man roster for the team's Week 5 matchup.
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Colts' Jonathan Taylor: Bust Alert (Start/Sit)
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I said earlier this week on our social media accounts that if Taylor plays in Week 5, you should start him. Let me clarify that stance. While it's exciting to have Taylor back and ready to play for the Colts, he should be considered a flex option at best in Week 5. This could be a game where he needs to shake off the rust since he hasn't played since Week 15 of last season, including no reps in training camp, and coach Shane Steichen said that if Taylor "feels good, then we'll rotate him in," which means he's likely sharing touches with Zack Moss. This is also a brutal matchup against the Titans, who just held Joe Mixon to 8.6 PPR points in Week 4, and Tennessee is No. 3 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs. I'm hopeful Taylor comes back and lights up the scoreboard, but it might take some time for him to look like a star Fantasy running back once again. For Week 5, use him as just a flex option in most leagues.
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Colts' Jonathan Taylor: Set to practice Wednesday
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Colts head coach Shane Steichen confirmed Monday that Taylor (ankle) will resume practicing with the team Wednesday, Mike Chappell of Fox 59 News Indianapolis reports.
After spending the first four weeks of the regular season on the reserve/PUP list while continuing his recovery from right ankle surgery in January, Taylor will make his return to practice Week 5 when first eligible. Before landing on the PUP list Aug. 29, Taylor had put in a request to be traded, and while Indianapolis ultimately entertained the request, the team wasn't able to find an offer to its liking. The Colts still could revisit moving Taylor ahead of the Oct. 31 trade deadline, but the running back looks as though he'll put any discord with the organization aside and gear up for a return to game action now that he's fully healthy following surgery. Per Nate Atkins of The Indianapolis Star, Steichen didn't rule out the possibility of Taylor being activated from the PUP list prior to this Sunday's game against the Titans, but for the time being, his return to practice Wednesday will merely open up a 21-day window in which the Colts can evaluate him for a return to the 53-man roster.
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Colts' Jonathan Taylor: Ramping up, eyeing Week 5 return
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Taylor (ankle) has increased the intensity of his workouts and appears to be ready to return from the PUP list when first eligible Week 5, Stephen Holder of ESPN.com reports.
Taylor was placed on the PUP list prior to the start of the season while he continued to rehab his surgically repaired right ankle, but the running back might have opened the campaign on the 53-man roster had he not put in a request for a trade upon reporting to camp. The Colts ultimately granted Taylor permission to seek out a trade a couple weeks after he submitted his request, but the offers Indianapolis received from inquiring teams apparently weren't satisfactory. Now that Taylor is a month removed from landing on the PUP list, it's unclear where his relationship stands with the Colts, but the 24-year-old looks as though he could be ready to play Week 5, whether it's with Indianapolis or another team. That being said, if Taylor is unwilling to rejoin the Colts at the start of the upcoming week or if the Colts elect to delay his activation from the PUP list while re-engaging in trade talks, it's possible his 2023 debut comes at a later date.
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Colts' Jonathan Taylor: Staying around team facilities
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Taylor (ankle) has been at the Colts' team facilities rehabbing and attending meetings, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.
Taylor wants to be traded but isn't holding out, and recent comments from GM Chris Ballard suggest the Colts still hope the running back will change his mind and end up playing for the team at some point after Week 4. He's ineligible for the first four games while on the reserve/PUP list, with his slower-than-expected rehab from late-January ankle surgery playing a big role in the complicated situation. If Taylor is eventually medically cleared and removed from the PUP list, he'd have to report to the Colts for at least the final six games of 2023 to accrue a season and become a free agent next year. For now, the Colts head into Week 1 with Deon Jackson, Evan Hull and possibly Zack Moss (arm) as their running backs against the Jaguars.
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Colts' Jonathan Taylor: Team open to mending relationship
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General manager Chris Ballard said Wednesday that he thinks Taylor (ankle) and the Colts can still repair their relationship, Gregg Doyel of The Indianapolis Star reports.
Ballard said he "won't quit on the relationship" even though "the situation sucks" for player, team and fans. For what it's worth, Doyel disagrees with the GM's assessment that things can be fixed, noting that Taylor has made it clear he's done with the Colts. Taylor is ineligible for the first four games of the season on the PUP list and reportedly still has some pain in his surgically repaired ankle, but the Colts can trade him in the meantime if they're willing to rethink a self-imposed Tuesday deadline. Zack Moss (arm), Deon Jackson and Evan Hull are the three running backs on Indy's initial 53-man roster.
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Colts' Jonathan Taylor: Placed on reserve/PUP list
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The Colts moved Taylor (ankle) to the reserve/PUP list on Tuesday, JJ Stankevitz of the team's official site reports.
Now that the move is official, Taylor -- who had been on the active/PUP list and was also seeking a trade -- will be forced to miss the first four games of the coming season. Following the Colts' roster moves Tuesday, Zack Moss (arm), Deon Jackson, and Evan Hull are the team's current running back options as Week 1 approaches.
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Colts' Jonathan Taylor: To rejoin team Sunday
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Taylor (ankle) is slated to rejoin the Colts on Sunday, Mike Chappell of Fox 59 News Indianapolis reports.
Taylor hasn't logged any on-field work since suffering a high right-ankle sprain Week 15 of last season. Since then, his recovery extended into the offseason program and training camp, the latter of which he began on the active/PUP list. He also made a formal trade request of the Colts in the middle of it all, and he also has been away from the team since Monday to tend to a personal matter. Coach Shane Steichen told Chappell on Saturday that Taylor still needs to receive medical clearance, so it remains to be seen when he may be able to take part in practice.
