Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor has 21 or more carries in four of the last five contests with virtually no competition for touches from the other running backs on the team. That is, except for Anthony Richardson who has scored four times on the ground over the last four weeks while Taylor hasn't scored via the rush since Week 8. The 25-year-old nearly had one last week but dropped the ball in celebration before crossing the goal line, resulting in a lost fumble instead. Expect the former second-round draft pick to get a healthy dose of touches again in Week 16 against Tennessee, especially given how good the Titans' pass defense has been, allowing the fifth-fewest fantasy points per game to opposing receivers compared to a rush defense yielding the 13th-most points to opposing backs. The fifth-year pro falls to a high-end RB2 in this week's matchup, who should get plenty of work and comes with RB1 upside if he's able to find the end zone.
Dec 21, 2024 1:05 AM EST
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor handled a heavy workload in Sunday's 31-13 loss to the Broncos, rushing 22 times for 107 yards and adding one reception for four yards. However, it could have been a great day had he not celebrated a would-be touchdown too early, dropping the ball before he crossed the goal line which ended up being a fumble, not six points on the board. Nevertheless, it was the fourth time in five games that the 25-year-old handled more than 20 touches and the seventh time in 11 games he's gone over 100 total yards rushing and receiving. Next week's home matchup versus the Titans should offer another chance to score, as the Titans have allowed four rushing TDs over the last three weeks, and there aren't many backs who garner as many weekly opportunities as Taylor. Still, the former second-round draft pick is likely a borderline RB1/2 again with the threat of Anthony Richardson taking away a chunk of the goal line work and killing drives with turnovers.
Dec 15, 2024 11:54 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor received 25 carries in Week 13, even with Anthony Richardson logging nine rush attempts of his own, nearly topping the century mark in rush yards with 96. It was the sixth time this season that the 25-year-old was given 20 or more carries in the 10 games he's played, however, he's been almost entirely phased out of the passing attack. Even though the former second-round draft pick caught a touchdown pass in Week 13, it was his only target in the contest after not receiving even a single target the prior week. Without consistent receiving work, the former Pro Bowler is reliant on high volume in the running game as Richardson has monopolized the goal line work, tallying three rushing touchdowns and a two-point conversion on the ground over the last three weeks since being reinserted as the starting QB. High volume is not a given in Week 15 against a Denver defense that has allowed the 12th-fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs and with the Colts as five-point road underdogs, they may be in catch-up mode for the latter part of this game. As talented as he is, the fifth-year pro projects only as a mid-to-low-end RB2 this week.
Dec 13, 2024 7:07 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor rushed 25 times for 96 yards and caught his lone target for a seven-yard touchdown in Sunday's 25-24 win over the Patriots. After posting duds in three of his last four games, the 25-year-old got back on track in Week 14, eclipsing 100 total yards for the fifth time this season and scoring for the first time since Week 8. It was encouraging to see that he could still log a full workload even with QB Anthony Richardson rushing nine times in the contest as well, and his lone pass target was one more than he had last week. The former second-round draft pick may get a chance to keep rolling when they take on a strong Denver pass defense after they come out of the bye, but the Broncos are allowing just 3.8 yards per rush, fourth-lowest in the NFL, so it could be a challenge for the Indy offense no matter which way they attempt to attack.
Dec 1, 2024 9:30 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor has had less than 60 yards rushing in three of his last four contests and bottomed out in the passing game last week, not having garnered even a single target. The 25-year-old will face the Patriots on Sunday, a defense that has been middle-of-the-pack against the run. While cold conditions at Gillette Stadium might warrant going to the ground game a bit more this week, the problem for Taylor is that quarterback Anthony Richardson has eaten into his workload, with the QB rushing 20 times over the last two games. Last week that meant that Taylor was left with just 11 rush attempts, although that was also partly due to the fact that the Colts were playing catch-up from the start. Richardson also scored twice on the ground two weeks ago, taking away potential touchdowns for the fifth-year back, which further diminishes Taylor's upside. As such, the former second-round draft pick projects as a borderline RB1/2 this week.
Nov 30, 2024 4:58 AM EST
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor was held to just 35 scoreless yards on 11 carries in Sunday's 24-6 loss to the Lions, and he was not targeted in the passing game. The former second-round pick hasn't really been involved in the passing game anyway, but with Anthony Richardson being reinserted under center, the mobile quarterback has negatively impacted Taylor's role in the offense. Richardson totaled 61 yards on 10 carries on Sunday, and last week, it was Richardson who scored twice on the ground -- not Taylor. It hasn't helped that the Colts have played the Jets and the Lions, two teams that have been good against the run. Things should get a bit easier next week against the Patriots, but with the reemergence of Richardson's legs and with Taylor a non-factor through the air, the 25-year-old will likely get bounced from the ranks of RB1 status.
Nov 24, 2024 9:49 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor was held to under 100 total yards rushing and receiving last Sunday for the second time in three weeks. While Week 12's showdown with the Lions looks like another tough matchup on paper, with the Lions allowing the fifth-fewest rushing yards per game thus far and the fourth-fewest fantasy points to running backs, if the Colts wish to keep this game close then they will have to run the ball to kill the clock and limit Detroit's opportunities, which in turn should benefit the 25-year-old. If the game gets out of reach, however, the Colts will find themselves in catch-up mode using the passing game, which Taylor has not been heavily involved in to this point, averaging less than two receptions per game for less than 14 yards per contest. Nevertheless, the talented former second-round draft pick projects as a back-end RB1 this week.
Nov 22, 2024 6:24 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor was bottled up by the Jets defense on Sunday, allowing the 25-year-old to gain just 57 yards on 24 carries, good for only 2.4 yards per carry. He added one catch for three yards as well, but was unable to find paydirt on the ground or through the air. Nevertheless, the Colts were able to pull out the 28-27 victory in the Meadowlands anyway. The Jets hadn't been as strong against the run in recent weeks but reasserted itself on Sunday, with the exception of allowing quarterback Anthony Richardson to score twice on the ground. Taylor will have another tall task on tap in Week 12 against the Lions, a top-five defense against the run, but the former second-round draft pick likely still slots in as an RB1 again.
Nov 17, 2024 11:07 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor has been highly effective when healthy this season, playing in seven of the Colts' 10 games and averaging 88.0 YPG rushing while adding 12 catches for 108 yards receiving. Along with five TDs on the year, the 25-year-old has been one of the lone bright spots on offense in 2024. With Anthony Richardson back at QB in Week 11, the Colts will likely lean more heavily on the ground attack versus the Jets who have been weak against the run over their past four contests, allowing a pair of 100-yard rushers and five scores during that time. Even so, with the uncertainty at quarterback and the Colts as four-point underdogs in a game with a low expected total, Taylor figures to be more of a fringe RB1 in Week 11.
Nov 15, 2024 7:43 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor rushed 21 times for 114 yards in Sunday's 30-20 loss to the Bills, tacking on two receptions for eight yards. While it was an overall good day for the 25-year-old back, 58 of his rush yards came on a single play with five minutes left in the first quarter, so he was held somewhat in check afterward. Also, to the dismay of fantasy managers, running back Tyler Goodson -- not Taylor -- was on the receiving end of a Joe Flacco touchdown pass despite not receiving a single carry in the contest. Nevertheless, it was the fifth time in the last six games Taylor has played that the former second-round pick has gone over 100 total yards. He'll be an RB1 again in Week 11 against a Jets defense that has yielded five rushing touchdowns in their last four games, including allowing James Conner to go over 100 total yards and a score in Week 10.
Nov 10, 2024 8:55 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor was held in check in Week 9 against a stout Vikings rush defense, but Week 10 brings a much more favorable matchup. The Buffalo Bills have allowed the second-most fantasy points to the RB position, and it hasn't just been on the ground. Running backs have scored four receiving TDs against them as well, in addition to the six rushing TDs they've yielded. Taylor is certainly a capable receiver, even receiving a season-high five targets in Week 9 with Joe Flacco under center. Although the 25-year-old missed a few weeks with an ankle injury, when he returned in Week 8, Taylor eclipsed 100-plus rushing and receiving yards for the fourth consecutive week. With Flacco struggling through the air last week and the Bills tougher against the pass, along with the expected absence of WR Michael Pittman Jr., the Colts could lean a bit heavier on the ground game in Week 10, which sets Jonathan Taylor up as a back-end RB1 on Sunday with some upside.
Nov 9, 2024 12:32 AM EST
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor was held to just 48 yards on 13 carries in Sunday night's 21-13 loss to the Vikings while adding three receptions on five targets for a paltry 11 yards. It was projected to be a tough assignment coming into the contest and the Vikings' rush defense lived up to its billing, although the Indy offense as a whole never really got anything going, as it accounted for just six of the total points (two FG) with the lone touchdown coming on a defensive scoop-and-score. On the bright side, Taylor draws a Bills rush defense in Week 10 that has allowed the third-most fantasy points to the running back position, with De'Von Achane gaining 121 total yards and two touchdowns (one rushing, one receiving) against them in Week 9. The 25-year-old is probably a mid-range RB1 in that matchup.
Nov 4, 2024 10:43 AM EST
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor returned in Week 8 after a three-game absence, going over 100 yards rushing with a touchdown, and does not have an injury designation heading into Week 9. Unfortunately for Taylor, it will be hard to keep the momentum going against a stout Minnesota rush defense. The Vikings have held running backs to 83.9 rush yards per game and 3.9 yards per rush attempt, both third-best in the NFL. However, seven different backs have recorded three or more receptions against the Vikings through seven games and Taylor is a capable receiver. In the only game in which he and Joe Flacco played together this season, Taylor garnered four looks from the veteran QB, hauling in three of them for 20 yards. Still, with Minnesota allowing the second-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers, the Colts may prefer to attack with their top wideouts, leaving Taylor as a back-end RB1 for Week 9.
Nov 1, 2024 7:33 PM EST
After missing three weeks due to injury, Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (ankle) looked like his old self on Sunday, rushing 20 times for 105 yards (5.3 YPC) and a score while adding one catch for 12 yards in the 23-20 loss to the Texans. Neither Tyler Goodson nor Trey Sermon received a single carry in the contest as Taylor monopolized the rushing duties. The 25-year-old now has five touchdowns in five games played and has gone over 100 total yards rushing and receiving in four straight games he's participated in. The former second-round draft pick will probably be an RB1 again in Week 9, although Minnesota has limited backs to just three rushing touchdowns (two through the air as well) thus far.
Oct 27, 2024 10:29 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (ankle) is officially off the team's injury report ahead of their Week 8 matchup. The Wisconsin product returned to practice on Wednesday in a limited fashion and was able to upgrade his participation to full on Thursday and Friday. It's excellent news for the Colts, as Taylor -- who has been out since Week 5 -- should resume handling RB1 duties for the team in their road outing against the Houston Texans. While it will be hard to bench him, fantasy managers will want to temper expectations for the fifth-year RB coming off a high-ankle sprain in a difficult matchup. The 25-year-old rushed for 48 yards and a score on 16 carries back in Week 1 against their division rivals.
Oct 25, 2024 4:20 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (ankle) is "tracking very well" to play on Sunday according to Jake Arthur of Sports Illustrated. This is a great sign for the 25-year-old as he has been sidelined since suffering a high-ankle sprain during Week 4. Taylor also logged a full practice on Thursday after being limited on Wednesday. Fantasy managers should expect Taylor to return to action on Sunday against the Houston Texans. Taylor should be viewed as a high-end RB1 on Sunday as he averaged an impressive 18.1 PPR points per game during the first four weeks of the campaign.
Oct 25, 2024 1:14 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (ankle) returned to full participation during Thursday's practice. This is a great sign for his potential status for this Sunday's game against the Houston Texans. The star running back has been sidelined since suffering a high ankle sprain in Week 4. Fantasy managers should pay close attention his status during Friday's practice as he may carry an injury designation into the weekend. If Taylor suits up, he should be viewed as an RB1 in all formats facing a tough Houston Texans defense. If he misses his fourth-straight game, Tyler Goodson and Trey Sermon will likely share backfield duties once again.
Oct 24, 2024 4:19 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (ankle) is back on the practice field on Thursday after logging a limited session on Wednesday. The former second-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft has missed each of the last three games with an ankle injury but could be trending toward a Week 8 return against the Houston Texans. Although Houston has surrendered the fourth-fewest fantasy points per game to running backs, Taylor's potential usage makes him worth starting if he's active. If he's out again, backups Trey Sermon and Tyler Goodson will likely split touches, and neither would have high ceilings in a tricky matchup. So far this season, Taylor has rushed 72 times for 349 yards and four touchdowns in four games.
Oct 24, 2024 2:12 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (ankle) will return to practice on Wednesday, according to head coach Shane Steichen. The Colts said on Monday that they were optimistic that Taylor would resume practicing this week, which could put him on track to return to play this Sunday against the division-rival Houston Texans. The 25-year-old has not practiced or played the last three weeks after suffering a high-ankle sprain. Taylor returning to practice this week doesn't make him a lock to suit up in Week 8, but it's an encouraging sign for the Colts and fantasy managers. Trey Sermon and Tyler Goodson have split the backfield the last three weeks, but with Taylor nearing a return, their usefulness as short-term flex options in fantasy is about to run out. If Taylor is active against Houston, he'll be a must-start in fantasy lineups.
Oct 23, 2024 12:01 PM EST
As reported by Kevin Bowen of 'The Fan,' Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen is "very optimistic" that running back Jonathan Taylor (ankle) will return to action in Week 8. It's excellent news for the Colts and fantasy managers, as Taylor has been shelved since Week 4 when he picked up an ankle sprain in the team's 27-24 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. It'd be nice to see him return to practice -- something he hasn't done in quite some time -- but it's an encouraging statement from his head coach. Steichen noted that defensive lineman DeForest Buckner (ankle) will also return this week. Even if Taylor is active, it's fair to wonder about his workload and effectiveness coming off an injury that can sap a player's juice for a bit. However, he is one of the most dynamic backs in the league and should immediately slide back in as the Colts' RB1. Indianapolis will take on their division-rival Houston Texans this Sunday, and the 25-year-old struggled against them back in Week 1, averaging three yards per carry on his 16 rush attempts (48 yards) and scoring a touchdown.
Oct 21, 2024 2:50 PM EST