Jonathan

Taylor

If the Colts felt it necessary, they could place Taylor on short-term IR, where he’d be required to miss at least four games. However, the team doesn’t seem interested in exercising that option right now, but we’ll see if that changes later in the week. The team said on Sunday night that Taylor had a mild high-ankle sprain, seemingly downplaying the severity of the injury. The Colts play the Jaguars in Week 5 and release their first injury report on Wednesday. His name will be one to watch on the report as the week progresses. If Taylor can’t go, Trey Sermon would become a priority add on waivers this go-around.

Rapoport adds, “Indy will get a full report tomorrow, but in the words of one source, ‘He’s ok.’” The diagnosis makes sense, given the injury’s mechanism. Taylor will no doubt do his best to rehabilitate his problematic right ankle but backup Trey Sermon should fly to the top of waiver wire lists regardless.

Taylor comments are a positive but this is at least the third time Taylor has injured his right ankle. By video, the ankle rolls inward in a manner similar to his December 2022 injury. Backup Trey Sermon should be a priority waiver wire add in 12-team leagues this week.

Taylor was running hot for the Colts in this one, posting a 21-88-1 line on the ground while adding another three receptions for 20 yards. His ankle injury came late in the fourth quarter, as he left the field to be taped up by trainers. On the following drive, the team announced he would be questionable to return due to the injury as Trey Sermon took to the field. Taylor has dealt with ankle injuries throughout his career, here’s hoping this isn’t anything major.

Taylor’s first 20-carry performance of the season was his second straight 100-yard outing on the ground. Gassed in the third quarter, he lost a goal-line plunge to backup Trey Sermon, but he still added two scores of his own. The first was a 29-yarder where he made 2-3 breathtaking cuts. Taylor hasn’t looked this healthy in a while. The second was a one-yard battering ram finished after getting stood up the two previous plays. Anthony Richardson’s inaccuracy and goal-line threat of his own remain concerns, but Taylor has re-proven he’s going to belong in the top 5-6 running backs most weeks. That includes for Week 4 against the Steelers.

Taylor ripped off a handful of big runs on his 12 rushes and was the only source of offense for the Colts until late in the second half. At one point, Taylor had 105 of the team’s 145 total yards. He had an unbelievable 6.4 yards after contact per rush on the day. Taylor should have a consistent role in a run-heavy Colts offense this season. He’ll face the tough Bears front seven in Week 3.

On the bright side, Taylor punched a short score from five yards out to keep his fantasy backers afloat. He was also the only Colts running back to see even a single touch. On the other hand, Anthony Richardson stole a short touchdown from him and did not target him once in the passing game. Both things were concerns for Taylor’s outlook heading into the season. Still, the touch domination will be enough to keep Taylor on the RB1 periphery for Week 2. He should see more work as a heavy favorite over the Jordan Love-less Packers.

Taylor played 100.0 percent of the opening drive snaps before retiring for the night. He logged two third-down snaps, including one with seven-plus yards to go. Taylor is a locked-in RB1 for 2024.

Taylor found little room to run, averaging -1.5 yards before contact on the day. He received three-down usage though, remaining on-field for each of the first-team offense’s third downs and logging five total receiving snaps.

Edwards, a free agent, is unlikely to re-sign with Baltimore and, according to Atkins, could suffice as a solid backfield option alongside Jonathan Taylor in Indy. “At 29, [Edwards] might find it preferable to have a more specialized role that can extend his career, and he’s good enough to convince the Colts to ease up on Taylor’s carrier at times,” Atkins said, predicting the Colts could sign Gus Bus for somewhere between $4-6 million on a one-year deal. The move would make sense for both sides if Zack Moss — after an impressive 2023 campaign — signs elsewhere this offseason. A between-the-tackles banger, Edwards posted the lowest yards per carry (4.1) of his career in 2023.