Jonathan Taylor
Running Back #28
Jonathan Taylor News
Jonathan Taylor Remains An Elite Must-Start RB1 In Week 5
There is no question that Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor is one of the best players at his position in the NFL. He'd likely already be considered a future Hall of Famer had injuries not hampered his production and kept him on the sidelines for so many games in his career. In fantasy football, he was one of the best picks you could make in the middle of the first round of drafts, and has racked up 353 rushing yards and six touchdowns through four games. He's the only thing making the Colts offense work right now, though, as quarterback Daniel Jones has struggled greatly in his return from a torn Achilles tendon this season. Taylor's 4.1 yards per carry are impressive considering the lackluster state of the passing game and his high-volume workload. The only nitpick of his game in fantasy football is his lack of receiving upside, as he's caught just 10 passes for 69 yards across his starts. Regardless, his touchdown upside alone makes him a must-start in all leagues for a Week 5 matchup against a middling Pittsburgh Steelers run defense.
Oct 10, 2026 9:02 AM EST
Jonathan Taylor Rushes for Two Scores in Big Win Over Commanders
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor totaled 20 carries, 95 rushing yards, and two rushing touchdowns during Sunday's Week 4 win over the Washington Commanders in London. He also caught one of his four targets for an additional two receiving yards. Taylor has now scored multiple touchdowns in three of his four games this season, and he continues to occupy an every-down role as the undisputed leader of Indianapolis' backfield. The veteran ball-carrier is the focal point of the offense with Alec Pierce (heel) and Keenan Allen (groin) sidelined, but the unit should continue to run through him even after those receivers return. Taylor projects as a high-end RB1 rest-of-season, and he should continue to be started in all leagues ahead of Week 5 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, who just surrendered 96 scrimmage yards and a touchdown to Quinshon Judkins.
Oct 4, 2026 8:55 PM EST
Jonathan Taylor Remains an Elite Week 4 Option
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor gets a difficult matchup Sunday, but there is no real lineup decision to make here. Taylor has 258 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 66 carries through three games, and he has added nine catches for 67 yards. Houston held him to 68 yards on 23 carries last week, easily his quietest rushing day so far. Washington has been much tougher on the ground than most teams, allowing just 246 rushing yards through three games at 3.8 yards per carry. The Commanders also lead the league with a 25% run-stuff rate. That could make the efficiency ugly at times, but Taylor's volume keeps him insulated from a tougher matchup. He was a full participant Thursday and Friday and carries no game designation. RotoBaller has him at RB4 for Week 4. Taylor should stay locked into lineups for Sunday's London game.
Oct 3, 2026 10:57 AM EST
Jonathan Taylor Finds Going Tough in Week 3 vs. Texans
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor had a bit of a tough time on the ground against a tough Texans defense in the team's 19-17 victory. Taylor carried the ball 23 times for just 68 rushing yards and added two receptions for just four receiving yards. Taylor was a fantasy disappointment in this game after setting a high bar by scoring two rushing touchdowns in each of his first two games this season. He can still be counted on as an elite option at running back, but this game was a rough one against a very good defense in Houston. Look for Taylor to bounce back in Week 4 during the team's matchup with the Washington Commanders.
Sep 27, 2026 1:47 PM EST
Jonathan Taylor An Elite Must-Start RB1 In Week 3 vs Texans
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor's career would likely be on a Hall of Fame trajectory had he not missed so much time due to injuries in his first six seasons in the NFL. He's showing no signs of slowing down this season. Through two games, he's rushed for 190 yards and four rushing touchdowns and caught seven of his eight targets for another 63 yards. His efforts have him as the fourth-highest scoring running back in PPR fantasy leagues this year. Houston is allowing opponents 3.9 yards per carry this season, which sits around league average. It's possible Taylor has a bigger receiving role this game, as Colts WR1 Alec Pierce (heel) won't be playing due to a heel injury. Game script shouldn't be an issue for Taylor -- typically, he sees less work when his team is getting blown out, but Houston's offense hasn't blown out a team with their starting quarterback active in over a year. Taylor has RB1 overall upside in every week he's healthy and active, and should be locked into starting lineups in all leagues.
Sep 26, 2026 9:05 AM EST
Jonathan Taylor Maintains Elite Fantasy RB1 Status In Week 2 Loss
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor reminded the world why he's one of the best backs in the NFL with another two-touchdown performance. He rushed 24 times for 92 yards and two touchdowns, and hauled in all four of his targets for 40 yards. That amounted to 29.2 PPR fantasy points. Taylor was the lone bright spot on an offense that struggled, and is a big reason why the Colts made it a competitive game. The Chiefs were regularly in the backfield and at the line of scrimmage to meet him -- Taylor averaged just 3.8 yards per carry on the night, but it wasn't his fault. The receiving usage he's had is quite encouraging as well. He was targeted just over 3.2 times per game in 2025, but has eight targets through two games for an average of four. Indy would benefit greatly from getting him the ball a few more times, and he's earned more receiving work. The Houston Texans defense is up next, but Taylor should be locked into starting lineups in all leagues for Week 3 anyway. He can put up big numbers in any week against any defense while healthy.
Sep 20, 2026 11:30 PM EST
Jonathan Taylor A Fantasy RB1 Even In Tough Week 2 Matchup
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor is a must-start running back with RB1 overall potential in Week 2 against the Kansas City Chiefs. "RB1 overall potential" is a bit of a formality in this case, as without pass-catching upside and against a defense that absolutely dominated in Week 1, it may be tough sledding for Taylor. However, he's one of the NFL's best running backs when healthy, and he scored 25.1 PPR fantasy points in Week 1 by rushing 19 times for 98 yards and two touchdowns and catching three of his four targets for 23 yards. He lost a fumble in that game, but the Colts won't stop giving him the ball because of it. The only thing he "lacks" from a fantasy perspective is elite receiving upside -- he doesn't get fed passes like RBs Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs of the Atlanta Falcons and Detroit Lions do. And Taylor is a game script-sensitive player, as he tends to have his monster games in wins. Still, there isn't a world in which Taylor shouldn't be locked in to starting lineups as an RB in fantasy football for Week 2, and his upside is fantastic.
Sep 19, 2026 4:20 AM EST
Jonathan Taylor Opens the Season with a Two-Touchdown Performance
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor totaled 19 carries, 98 rushing yards, and two rushing touchdowns during Sunday's Week 1 loss against the Baltimore Ravens. He also caught three of four targets for an additional 23 receiving yards. The Colts came up short in Week 1, but it certainly wasn't Taylor's fault. He picked up right where he left off in the first half of last season with yet another multi-touchdown game. Through the first 10 weeks last year, he scored a whopping 17 touchdowns while ranking as the RB1 in PPR leagues. In fact, during that span, he scored 25.1 points more than the RB2, Christian McCaffrey. He also had a torrid stretch where he recorded five different three-touchdown games within eight weeks. We'll see if 2026 looks anything like 2025 for Taylor, but at the very least, he's off to a super impressive start. It's also worth noting that he continues to have a stronghold on the backfield volume, as none of the Colts' other running backs registered a carry on Sunday. Taylor finds himself in the mid-to-high RB1 range heading into Week 2 against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Sep 13, 2026 8:32 PM EST
Jonathan Taylor is a Top-Tier Start in Week 1
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor is a high-end RB1 to start the 2026 season against the Baltimore Ravens at home in Week 1. Interestingly, the Week 1 matchup featuring Taylor (1,585 rushing yards in 2025) and Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry (1,595) marks just the fourth game in NFL history to open the season with opposing rushers who each surpassed 1,500 yards the prior season, according to Next Gen stats. Last year, the Ravens' defense ranked 18th against the run, and they will again be without defensive lineman Nnamdi Madubuike (neck) this Sunday, which bodes well for Taylor if he runs between the tackles. In 2025, Taylor had a 56% inside-the-tackles rushing rate, his lowest since 2021, and he faced a stacked box only 17.6% of the time, one of the lowest of all qualified rushers in 2025. Taylor, who led all running backs last year in rushing attempts (323), should dominate opportunities in the Colts' backfield, while also seeing some looks in the passing game. Last year, Taylor had a 15.9% target share and ran an average of 20 routes per game, which is a bonus for managers in PPR formats. Fantasy managers in nearly every format probably drafted Taylor in the first or early second round to be their RB1, and he is a must-start against the Ravens in Week 1.
Sep 12, 2026 1:52 AM EST
Jonathan Taylor Poised for Another Productive Year
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor is poised to have another very productive season in 2026. Taylor ranked as the overall RB4 in PPR leagues last year, and even that finish was somewhat underwhelming relative to how dominant he started the season. Through the first 10 weeks last year, he scored a whopping 17 touchdowns while ranking as the RB1 in PPR leagues. In fact, during that span, he scored 25.1 points more than the RB2, Christian McCaffrey. He also had a torrid stretch where he recorded five different three-touchdown games within eight weeks. In other words, Taylor was playing at an MVP level before cooling off after the bye week (and after quarterback Daniel Jones went down with an Achilles injury). Jones is healthy again, restoring a semblance of life to this offense and potentially reigniting Taylor's upside as the overall RB1 if he can stay healthy. He is currently being drafted in the middle of the first round of fantasy drafts, typically as the fourth running back off the board.
Sep 3, 2026 7:46 PM EST
Jonathan Taylor Carries More Risk at His First-Round Price
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor isn't falling because his role suddenly changed. It's the price after a season that will be tough to repeat. Taylor led the NFL with 323 carries and scored 20 total touchdowns in 2025, finishing with 1,585 rushing yards and another 378 through the air. Indianapolis has openly spent camp looking for a dependable No. 2 back who can help keep him fresh after that workload, with DJ Giddens and Seth McGowan making the initial 53-man roster behind him. Taylor is still the clear starter, and the Colts signed him to an extension in August. This isn't a playing-time scare. The risk is paying a first-round price after he handled more carries than anyone in football. RotoBaller's Aug. 30 early-round avoids piece also noted how much game script mattered last year: Taylor averaged 31.5 PPR points in Colts wins and 12.4 in losses. He's still an elite fantasy back. There's just less margin for error at the current cost.
Aug 31, 2026 7:21 AM EST
Jonathan Taylor is Not Far Removed from MVP-Caliber Production
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor is a superstar in the NFL, and he could be due for another big year after flirting with the MVP sweepstakes at times last year. Taylor was simply remarkable in the Colts' 10 games prior to the bye, amassing 1,139 rushing yards, 260 receiving yards, and 17 total touchdowns. During that span, he was the overall RB1 in fantasy football, averaging 6.4 points per week more than the second-highest-scoring running back Christian McCaffrey. Taylor's productivity declined after Daniel Jones (Achilles) was shut down for the season, effectively bringing his somewhat improbable MVP candidacy to an end. Assuming he can return to his first-half 2026 form, Taylor should have no trouble turning in another top-five finish. As it stands, he's the RB6 in RotoBaller's latest fantasy football rankings for 2026.
Aug 26, 2026 8:05 PM EST
Jonathan Taylor Still Looks Worth the First-Round Cost
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor is coming off a season that would be hard for almost anyone to repeat, but there still isn't much reason to get cute with him in the first round. Taylor led the NFL with 323 carries, turning them into 1,585 yards and 18 touchdowns, then added 46 catches for 378 yards and two more scores. The 20 total touchdowns are the obvious number to expect some regression from. The workload is another story. Indianapolis still has Taylor clearly atop the depth chart, with DJ Giddens and Seth McGowan behind him, and the Colts just gave the 27-year-old another contract extension. Taylor also scored during red-zone work against New England this week. Daniel Jones is back as the QB1 and has looked healthy in camp, which should help keep the offense functional around him. RotoBaller has Taylor seventh overall in half-PPR and RB4 in their rankings. There are younger backs near the top of drafts, but Taylor is still catching passes, getting the goal-line work and handling as much volume as anyone. He remains worth paying up for.
Aug 16, 2026 10:08 AM EST
Jonathan Taylor Signs Two-Year Extension with Colts
All-Pro running back Jonathan Taylor and the Indianapolis Colts have agreed to a two-year extension that will pay the three-time Pro Bowler up to $47 million and keep him on the team through the 2028 season. The deal includes $39 million in guarantees and makes Taylor the second-highest-paid running back in the league after the Falcons' Bijan Robinson signed a historic deal on Tuesday. Taylor has dealt with injuries for much of his career, playing in 17 games only once over the past four seasons, but when healthy and right, he is one of the most impactful offensive players in the league. He was the fantasy RB1 through the first 13 weeks of 2025 before Daniel Jones' season-ending Achilles injury derailed the offense as a whole. Jones has made remarkable progress and is expected to be the team's Week 1 starter, and should the injury limit his mobility, Taylor could benefit from an increase in checkdowns, only adding to his value and putting him among a handful of backs with overall RB1 upside for 2026.
Aug 6, 2026 5:12 AM EST
Jonathan Taylor has "Faith" in Colts Giving him a New Deal
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor said "there's been some good conversations" regarding his contract talks with the team, and that he has "faith" in the Colts coming through with a new deal, according to Stephen Holder of ESPN. There was some speculation that Taylor would be a hold-in to begin training camp this summer like the Detroit Lions' Jahmyr Gibbs and Atlanta Falcons' Bijan Robinson, but he has been participating in practices as he seeks another big deal with Indy. Both sides appear to be making good progress on an extension, with owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon recently saying that she wants Taylor to be a Colt for the rest of his career. The 27-year-old former second-rounder in the 2020 NFL draft from the University of Wisconsin should be viewed as a top-five fantasy RB in 2026, even though there has been talk of the Colts looking to manage his workload after carrying the ball a league-high 323 times in 2025. The three-time Pro Bowler had 1,583 rushing yards last season in 17 starts and also led the league with 18 rushing touchdowns, adding a career-high 46 catches for 378 yards and two more TDs as a receiver. The Colts don't really have great options behind JT, so he's projected for another heavy workload, giving him a strong fantasy floor as long as he stays healthy.
Aug 2, 2026 10:31 AM EST
Jonathan Taylor Not Holding in at Training Camp
Despite seeking a contract extension, Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor is practicing with the team and has elected not to hold in, according to Mike Chappell of FOX 59. Taylor is entering the final year of his current deal and has said that he wants to remain with the Colts for the rest of his career. Apparently, the two sides have had some positive talks recently, which has convinced Taylor that something could be imminent in terms of a new contract. The 27-year-old three-time Pro Bowler was the RB2 in fantasy last year, behind only Christian McCaffrey, after rushing for a career-best 1,585 yards on a league-high 323 rushing attempts in 17 starts. Taylor added a league-high 18 rushing touchdowns, a career-high 46 receptions, 378 receiving yards, and another two scores through the air for the Colts. The Colts have discussed lightening JT's workload to keep him fresh throughout his seventh NFL season in 2026, but even with a small reduction in touches, the former second-rounder from the University of Wisconsin should have a high floor as a top-five RB1 lock in fantasy football.
Jul 29, 2026 8:55 AM EST
Jonathan Taylor Expected to Open Training Camp on Field
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor is expected to participate when the team opens training camp Wednesday despite entering the final year of his contract, according to The Indianapolis Star. General manager Chris Ballard downplayed the possibility of a repeat of the contract dispute that disrupted Taylor's 2023 camp, saying the 27-year-old is "in a great spot." Taylor signed a three-year, $42 million extension in October 2023 and has said he would love to remain with Indianapolis for the rest of his career. He started all 17 games in 2025, rushing 323 times for 1,585 yards and 18 touchdowns while adding 46 receptions for 378 yards and two scores. That followed a 1,431-yard rushing season in 2024, giving Taylor consecutive years above 1,400 yards. Ballard declined to discuss negotiations but said the Colts continually work to retain their own players and would love to keep Taylor long term. No extension has been announced, but there is currently no indication that Taylor's contract situation will keep him off the field.
Jul 28, 2026 11:22 AM EST
Jonathan Taylor Could be a Hold-in During Training Camp
The Athletic's James Boyd suggests that Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor could be a hold-in when training camp begins. Taylor is entering the final year of the three-year, $42 million contract he signed with the team in October of 2023. He said he wants "to be a Colt for life," but if the two sides can't reach an amicable agreement before camp starts, Boyd thinks Taylor should hold in despite his legacy with the Colts already being solidified. The 27-year-old ranks first in franchise history in rushing touchdowns (69) and needs just 1,629 more rushing yards to surpass Hall of Famer Edgerrin James for the franchise lead. The star RB was still dealing with a lingering right-ankle injury from 2022 when he demanded a new contract three years ago, so he wasn't technically a hold-in during camp that summer. Despite being three years older, Taylor could have more leverage in negotiations this time around because he figures to be leaned on heavily early in 2026 with QB Daniel Jones coming off an Achilles tear in 2025. A hold-in this summer could make Taylor more of a bust candidate as an RB1, especially since the Colts will be mindful of his workload after leading the NFL with 323 rushing attempts last year in his sixth year in the league.
Jul 21, 2026 12:01 PM EST
Jonathan Taylor Wants to be "a Colt for Life"
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor is already the franchise's leader in rushing touchdowns (69) and needs just 1,629 more rushing yards to pass Hall of Famer Edgerrin James (9,226) for the franchise lead. Taylor's immediate future with the Colts is uncertain, however, as he enters the final year of an extension that he signed in 2023. When asked about his contract status, Taylor said he wants to be "a Colt for life," according to James Boyd of The Athletic. Boyd thinks that the 27-year-old former second-rounder in 2020 out of the University of Wisconsin should be a hold-in during training camp this summer as he negotiates a potential extension to remain in Indy beyond the 2026 season. Despite being three years older, Taylor might have more leverage in contract negotiations with franchise QB Daniel Jones rehabbing from a torn Achilles tendon. The three-time Pro Bowl RB led the NFL in carries (323) and rushing touchdowns (18) while rushing for 1,585 yards in 17 starts. The Colts are mindful that they might need to limit Taylor's touches as he heads into his seventh year, but at least early on with Jones being eased back in, the Colts figure to lean on Taylor out of the backfield. Taylor should still be considered a top-five fantasy RB, albeit one with mild bust potential due to all the tread already on his tires.
Jul 16, 2026 8:19 AM EST
Colts Looking to Dial Back Jonathan Taylor's Worload?
Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen said that the team finally confronted the wear and tear on their most explosive player, running back Jonathan Taylor, after he had a league-high 323 rushing attempts in 2025, according to Stephen Holder of ESPN. Taylor came out of last year mostly healthy, but their usage of their star RB is something they admit they need to navigate going into the 2026 season. "Obviously, he's a hell of a player," Steichen said. "It's hard to take him off the field when he's running so good." The 27-year-old former second-rounder from the University of Wisconsin in 2020 has rushed for 1,431 and 1,585 yards, respectively, in the last two seasons, and only he and Derrick Henry of the Baltimore Ravens have had three or more seasons of 300 or more carries since 2020. Taylor has been durable despite his heavy usage, but the Colts are wondering aloud if it's sustainable. In a perfect world, Indy "would like to dial back" Taylor's touches. "We definitely need to find ways to take some of that workload off him," running backs coach DeAndre Smith said. Even with a potential reduced workload, JT should find enough volume to keep him in the RB1 conversation in fantasy as long as he stays healthy.
Jul 12, 2026 9:55 AM EST
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