Jonathan Taylor absent from Colts training camp due to injury rehab

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The Colts excused running back Jonathan Taylor from practice, Tuesday, so he can do more rehab on his surgically-repaired ankle.

However, it’s still unclear whether Taylor is doing rehab to play for the Colts or some other team. After all, the former Wisconsin star asked for a trade as training camp started after Indy management declined to renegotiate his contract.

Ian Rapoport, with the NFL Network, reported during Inside Training Camp that he’s expected to miss “a little bit more time.”

However, “who he plays for when that season begins is a whole other topic,” Rapoport said. “Obviously, that’s something we’ve discussed — the trade request is still outstanding — but that is going on with Taylor today.”

Colts coach Shane Steichen confirmed that he excused Taylor from practice as “part of his rehab process. If you don’t see him out here, it’s part of his rehab.” ESPN reported that Taylor was doing the rehab off site. Injured players usually are required to be at training camp sessions.

Jonathan Taylor showed up for the first week of Colts training camp. But he’s rehabbing off-site this week. It’s unclear whether he’ll still be playing for Indy when the season starts. (Mykal McEldowney / USA TODAY NETWORK)

Indy owner already said no to Jonathan Taylor to renegotiation

Jonathan Taylor met with Colts owner Jim Irsay on the owner’s bus in late July. Like a number of the league’s running backs, Taylor isn’t pleased with his compensation. The Colts selected Taylor in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. He made all-rookie team as selected by the Pro Football Writers after he rushed for 1,169 yards and 11 scores. By his second season, Taylor led the league in rushing (1,811 yards) and rushing touchdowns (18).

But Taylor’s production dropped by more than half in this third season. So he’s not in the best bargaining position, especially after teams have cut back on spending for running backs. He played in 11 of 17 games, gaining only 861 yards. Taylor first hurt his ankle in week four against the Titans. He missed his first career game the following week. Taylor hurt it again days before Christmas and the Colts placed him on injured reserve.

He started training camp on the physically unable to perform list. And now he’s receiving extra rehab. It’s unclear whether the Colts are willing to part with Jonathan Taylor. Irsay was adamant he wouldn’t do so.

“We’re not trading Jonathan … end of discussion,” Irsay texted Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer. “Not now and not in October!”

Meanwhile, the Colts added veteran back Kenyan Drake last week. So that could be in answer to their plans with Jonathan Taylor. Plus, the Colts also lost reserve back Zach Moss to a broken arm last week.

Taylor is in his final year of the contract he signed his rookie season. So he’ll be a free agent if the Colts don’t extend his deal. He’s not the only running back upset with his pay. Raiders star Josh Jacobs, who led the NFL in rushing in 2022, is sitting out training camp. The Giants came to terms with Saquon Barkley as training camp started. Barkley threatened to skip training camp.