Jonathan Taylor reportedly set to return from PUP list, receives update from Colts HC
Jonathan Taylor has yet to suit up for the Indianapolis Colts this season following a drama-filled offseason.
The former Wisconsin running back requested a trade out of Indianapolis prior to the start of the year and has since been dealing with an ankle ailment that placed him on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list ahead of Week 1.
The Colts still seem to be holding firm on their stance to not trade Taylor. Colts HC Shane Steichen told reporters Monday that Taylor has been cleared to return from the PUP list and is expected to return to practice on Wednesday.
Per Coach Steichen, Jonathan Taylor will return to practice Wednesday. pic.twitter.com/UDLzQX8lPS
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) October 2, 2023
Taylor has insisted upon a new deal this season and according to a report from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport a few teams are “interested” in trading for Taylor with a promise to restructure his contract to make him one of the higher paid RBs in the league.
But, as previously mentioned, the Colts only intend to get him healthy and put him back out on the field in the final year of his contract. In their eyes, money talks can resume from that point.
Taylor’s 2021 season was marvelous while last year’s was mildly disappointing. In ’21 Taylor rushed for 1,811 yards with 18 touchdowns, also adding a pair of receiving touchdowns.
Last season he finished with 861 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns across just 11 games. Had he kept his pace he would have hovered around 1,350 yards, putting him around 5th or 6th in the league. Of course, that’s all a hypothetical.
What’s not hypothetical is this: Taylor’s value is absolutely still there and if he can return to form, he’ll be dangerous. It’s all just a matter of getting back into that groove.