Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen is preparing for his first preseason game with his new team and he’ll be doing so without star running back Jonathan Taylor.
The fourth-year back is currently away from the team receiving further treatment on his ankle and while there’s still no timetable for return in regards to the injury, Steichen expects Taylor to be back with the team next week.
“He should be back, yeah, next week,” Steichen told reporters Thursday.
Whether Taylor will be healthy enough to be removed from the PUP list is another question. Despite a recovery timeline from January arthroscopic debridement that was expected to be four-to-six weeks, Taylor still isn’t healthy enough to practice.
At least, that’s what it looks like on the surface. How much of that ties into his current contract concerns remains to be seen.
Steichen didn’t have an answer as to whether Taylor would be practicing if and when he returns next week.
“I don’t have an answer for that and a timetable on that. But really looking forward to getting him back and getting him healthy and getting him back out there playing with the guys,” Steichen said.
This will continue to be a situation to monitor as the regular season inches near, but Taylor is expected to be back with the team next week.