Former rushing champ to practice this week

After two months of commerce rumors, Jonathan Taylor stays on the Colts. Whereas the prospect of commerce is just not believed to be shut down, the workforce is certainly opening the operating again’s apply window.

A Sunday report indicated this move was coming, and Shane Steichen confirmed Taylor is slated to return to apply Wednesday. Taylor has resided on Indianapolis’ reserve/PUP checklist; he’ll now have a 21-day window to return. Questions stay about Taylor’s need to play for the Colts once more, and the commerce deadline looms Oct. 31. For now, nevertheless, the Colts will transfer him nearer towards enjoying for them in 2023.

Steichen additionally didn’t rule out Taylor from making his debut Sunday in opposition to the Titans, Fox 59’s Mike Chappell adds. Taylor requested a commerce in July, amid a clash with proprietor Jim Irsay, and certain tried to make use of his ankle situation as a approach to keep away from a return to the Colts. The 2021 dashing champ is believed to have been wholesome for a bit now; Irsay proclaimed him prepared to return in mid-July. However a stretch of turbulence between Taylor and the workforce engulfed Steichen’s first summer season on the job. It is going to actually be pivotal if/when Taylor addresses his state of affairs this week.

After Irsay flatly said Taylor would not be traded back in July, the Colts did find yourself engaging with teams forward of the August deadline to finalize 53-man rosters and set injured lists. The Dolphins and Packers discussed Taylor with the Colts, with different groups rumored as to a lesser diploma. Rumors have emerged concerning the Colts’ lack of desire to truly move the contract-year again, a improvement foreshadowed by Jaylen Waddle developing in Dolphins talks. The Taylor market by no means appeared sturdy, and it has cooled from the August level.

The Colts are believed to have dropped their asking price for the fourth-year RB. No workforce has fetched a first-rounder for a operating again because the Colts despatched the Browns one for Trent Richardson 10 years in the past, and Indy is now open to accepting a Spherical 2 alternative right here. As of final week, Taylor additionally remained at odds with the Colts. In fact, if Indianapolis doesn’t make a deal, Taylor’s choices are restricted.

As soon as Taylor returns to apply, the Colts may have 21 days to activate him from the PUP checklist. If the workforce doesn’t achieve this, Taylor’s season is finished. A participant not on an injured checklist exaggerating an harm to drive a commerce is just not unprecedented; Jalen Ramsey did so in 2019, when the Jaguars collected two first-rounders from the Rams. However some finality to Taylor’s 2023 saga seems to be to be coming.

Additionally it is unsure if Irsay and GM Chris Ballard are on the identical web page relating to a possible commerce. If the Colts don’t commerce Taylor, they’d nonetheless have the choice of franchise-tagging him in 2024. This yr’s franchise tag deadline accelerated Taylor’s standoff with the Colts, with three operating backs (Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs, Tony Pollard) enjoying on the tag. And the grim prospect of Taylor enjoying out his rookie deal after which being cuffed nonetheless looms. Although, the Colts might want to resolve how for much longer they wish to endure this example. How Taylor reacclimates underneath a brand new teaching workers could possibly be necessary as he rejoins his teammates at exercises.

Profitable the 2021 dashing title by greater than 500 yards, Taylor missed six video games resulting from an ankle harm — his first notable illness throughout his school or professional careers — final season and underwent what was labeled a minimally invasive surgical procedure in January. It’s anticipated the Wisconsin product is nice to go. If Taylor is really on observe to play in Colts video games, he would presumably reclaim the starter position forward of Zack Moss, who has operated as such for the previous three weeks. The 2022 commerce acquisition has performed at the very least 75% of the Colts’ offensive snaps in every of his three video games since coming back from a damaged arm.