For the third game in a row, the Indianapolis Colts’ offense will be without Jonathan Taylor on Sunday.
According to head coach Shane Steichen after Friday’s practice, Taylor has already been ruled out for the upcoming game against Miami.
Given that Taylor had not practiced at all this week, this move was to be expected at this point.
Taylor is still working through a high-ankle sprain that he suffered late in the Colts’ Week 4 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
While each injury is different for every player, of note, Josh Downs suffered a high-ankle sprain in training camp and missed about six weeks. DeForest Buckner has currently been out for four, now going on five weeks, with a high-ankle injury.
Taylor recently spoke about the injury with Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network:
“I’m definitely feeling better this week. Ankles are nothing new to me. … Doing everything in my power to be back out there again this week,” said Taylor. “You know the high ankles are always tricky, especially when you’re playing a high-contact sport like this.”
Without Taylor, the Colts will continue to lean on Trey Sermon and Tyler Goodson–although, as I wrote recently, more opportunities should be coming Goodson’s way with how he’s played.
Getting the run game going this week against a Dolphins defense that has been good at limiting opportunities through the air will be important. Although still without Taylor, having Anthony Richardson back in the mix should provide the run game with a needed boost.