Former Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor reached the end zone in the Indianapolis Colts’ season opener against the Houston Texans on Sunday.
The score arrived at the 5:43 mark of the third quarter on a first-down play inside the Texans’ 10-yard line. Taylor fielded the hand off from quarterback Anthony Richardson, maneuvered around a handful of Houston defenders and crossed the goal line to cut the Texans’ lead to 15-13.
The score was the first for the New Jersey native since his 30-carry, 188-yard, one-touchdown output against the Texans on Jan. 6, 2024. Taylor missed seven contests during the 2023 season, yet still finished with 741 yards in his fourth season.
Taylor finished Sunday’s game with 16 carries for 48 rushing yards and the score.
It’s not football season until 28 is in the end zone.
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— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) September 8, 2024
The 5-foot-11 workhorse enters the 2024 campaign as one of the NFL’s most premier running backs. Prior to a pair of injuries in 2022 and 2023, Taylor mustered over 1,800 rushing yards for Indianapolis in 2021. If he can stay on the field for the remainder of the season, Taylor will be as dynamic a threat as any running back in the league.
Second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson also adds another layer to Indianapolis’ offense this season. With a cannon for an arm and dynamic rushing abilities, he makes Taylor an even more dangerous threat for opposing defenses.
At UW, Taylor pocked two straight Doak Walker Awards and unanimous first-team All-America nods. He finished his collegiate career ranked sixth all time among Football Bowl Subdivision players in rushing with 6,174 yards.
The Colts will square off against the Green Bay Packers on Sept. 15 at Lambeau Field.