Report: Jonathan Taylor to return to training camp, will only practice/play when healthy

The ongoing drama between the Indianapolis Colts and running back Jonathan Taylor has reached a pause. Kind of. Maybe?

ESPN’s Stephen Holder reports that Taylor plans to return to training camp sometime this week. The former Wisconsin star has been holding out over contract disputes with the Colts. He recently requested a trade out of the organization, as well.

Holder reported that Taylor’s stance has not change and he still wants to be traded away from Indianapolis. Additionally, the running back only plans to practice and play when he’s 100% healthy.

Taylor has been recovering from an ankle injury. He recently decided to receive rehab and treatment at an out-of-state facility. He has not participated in training camp this season.

New head coach Shane Steichen said he plans on Taylor returning this week. When that will be — and how much he’ll participate — remains unknown.

“He should be back this week,” Steichen said. “Do I know the exact date he’ll be back? No, but he should be back.”

Indianapolis played its first preseason game of the 2023 season on Saturday against Buffalo. The Bills defeated the Colts 23-19.

Taylor has been a critical offensive weapon for the Colts when on the field. He exceeded the 1,000-yard mark each of his first two seasons in the NFL. In 2021, he piled up 1,811 yards and 18 touchdowns on the ground.

Last year, injury prevented Taylor from playing a full season. He totaled 861 yards and four touchdowns on the ground in 11 games for the Colts.

Colts owner has no plans to trade Jonathan Taylor

Although Taylor has requested a trade and refused to participate in training camp, Colts owner Jim Irsay says the team has no plans to trade the running back.

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

While Irsay seemed pretty adamant about his stance, it doesn’t mean something isn’t happening behind the scenes. In the NFL, anything can happen. So you shouldn’t rule out a trade completely just yet.

In his first three seasons in the league, Taylor has amassed 3,841 yards and 33 touchdowns on the ground. He also has 802 receiving yards and three touchdown catches.

We’ll see how quickly Taylor returns to training camp. Meanwhile, Indianapolis has two preseason games remaining against the Chicago Bears and Philadelphia Eagles before opening the regular season against the Jacksonville Jaguars.