Meeting with reporters on Monday following the Indianapolis Colts’ Week 7 win over the Miami Dolphins, head coach Shane Steichen mentioned that he was “optimistic” that running back Jonathan Taylor would return to practice this week, according to The Athletic’s James Boyd.
Taylor has been sidelined since exiting the Colts’ Week 4 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers with a high-ankle sprain. He is yet to return to practice.
Without Taylor, the Colts’ run game has struggled to get going–although this past week it did improve with Anthony Richardson back in the mix. Although Trey Sermon and Tyler Goodson would average just 3.9 yards as a duo, Richardson ran for 56 yards of his own, not to mention that how defenses defend the Colts’ run game changes drastically when they have to be concerned about Richardson.
Having Taylor back in the mix will not only provide the run game with a boost, but should help the passing game as well, helping to keep the offense out of predictable passing situations along with opening up opportunities off play-action or in the RPO game.
Prior to sustaining the ankle injury, Taylor was one of the more productive backs in football, ranking top-five in rushing yards along with being one of the best at generating big plays.
If Taylor does return to practice, that doesn’t guarantee that he will be on the field Sunday in Houston, but it’s certainly a good sign.
In addition to Steichen saying he was optimistic about Taylor returning to practice, he said the same about DeForest Buckner who is still on injured reserve. Steichen mentioned something similar late last week as well in regards to Buckner. For more on that, click here.