Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor is currently on the Reserve/PUP list, keeping him out for at least the first four games of the season, but he reportedly is expected to play as early as Week 5.
Adam Schefter of ESPN reported Sunday morning that Taylor is “going to pass his physical and could pass it today,” and that his plans are to play as early as Week 5, which is the first week he’s eligible to come off the PUP list.
Jonathan Taylor, who now is on Physically Unable to Perform List through Week 4 due to an ankle injury, is “going to pass his physical and could pass it today,” per source. Taylor is planning to be ready to play as early as Week 5, when he is eligible to come off the PUP list.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 10, 2023
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network echoed a similar report, saying Taylor is currently health and could pass a physical.
“Sources say Taylor is healthy and likely would be able to pass a physical today if one was required,” Rapoport reported Sunday morning.
Whether Taylor is planning to play for the Colts is a different question entirely. But this report from Schefter, which states Taylor is healthy and able to pass a physical, slightly contradicts the Colts’ claims that the back is still feeling pain in the ankle.
Though the relationship has taken extensive damage, the Colts and Taylor could still patch things up and come to an agreement for him to play when he returns, in theory.
It’s also possible his trade request stands and the team will find him a new home before the trade deadline at the end of October.
Even with Taylor unavailable for the first four games, this still will continue to be a storyline worth monitoring over the next month.