Jonathan Taylor

Indianapolis Colts
Running Back #28
FANTASY NEWS STATS INJURY

Jonathan Taylor News RotoBaller

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

Jonathan Taylor a Trade Candidate?

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor had a whopping 1,139 rushing yards and 15 rushing touchdowns through the first 10 weeks of the 2025 season before quarterback Daniel Jones went down with a season-ending torn Achilles tendon. Indy's offense collapsed after Jones' injury, though, and defenses might not respect Jones as much if he's ready for the start of the 2026 season. With Taylor approaching the last year on his current deal, the Colts will need to decide if they want to give the 27-year-old a third big contract. ESPN's Ben Solak reminds us that Taylor's last contract negotiation with the Colts "got fairly icy." He's now three years older, and if the Colts' season goes south early in 2026 and they see a rebuild coming, a trade could be in the works. JT proved last year that he can still be one of the best RBs in the league despite having plenty of tread on his tires. Solak thinks the Bears and their ascending offense would make perfect sense for Taylor, with D'Andre Swift having not proven to be completely reliable as a go-to RB1.

Jul 1, 2026 7:23 PM EST

Jonathan Taylor Could Dominate Touches Again in Indy's Backfield

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor was one of just 11 RBs in 2025 to play every single game, which led to him carrying the ball 323 times, 12 more than any other player in the league, according to Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan. The 27-year-old has 1,551 carries in his NFL career, which could suggest he might be reaching that point where many RBs' production begins to dip. "That's a fair assessment," head coach Shane Steichen said when asked if he's considered dialing back Taylor's workload at all. "It's hard to take him off the field when he's running so good, but getting Seth McGowan in the fold and DJ Giddens, and see how those guys come along in training camp, and we'll go from there," Steichen added. Since entering the NFL in 2020, Taylor's 1,551 carries rank third-most in the league. JT was a Pro Bowler for the third time in 2025, reaching 1,585 rushing yards and a league-high 18 rushing touchdowns on a league-high 323 carries, adding a career-high 46 catches for 378 yards and two more TDs in 17 starts to finish behind only Christian McCaffrey in fantasy scoring. The Colts will surely be mindful of Taylor's workload in his seventh NFL campaign in 2026, but with little experience behind him in the backfield, he should still see high-end volume, making him an easy top-five RB target in fantasy drafts.

Jun 19, 2026 8:48 AM EST

Should Dynasty Managers Explore Selling High on Jonathan Taylor?

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor put together a dominant year in 2025, recording 1,963 yards from scrimmage and 20 touchdowns on 369 touches. The 27-year-old averaged 4.9 yards per carry while also setting career-highs in targets (55), receptions (46), and receiving yards (378). Entering 2026, Taylor once again projects as the focal point of a Colts offense that will get quarterback Daniel Jones (Achilles) back from the Achilles injury that ended his 2025 season prematurely. However, fantasy managers may have a reason to be concerned about Taylor's ability to hold up after shouldering such a large workload last season. After recording 372 touches in 2021, Taylor proceeded to miss 16 games over a three-season span between 2022 and 2024. He also has a history of recurring ankle injuries, which could easily pop back up in 2026. While Taylor is still a high-level fantasy running back, dynasty managers may want to explore selling high on him for a monstrous package ahead of 2026.

Jun 12, 2026 8:10 AM EST

Could Jonathan Taylor Finish as the RB1 if he Stays Healthy?

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor has the potential to bounce back as the overall RB1 in fantasy football during the 2026 season. Taylor was well on his way to the overall RB1 spot during the first half of last season. He ranked as the RB1 in PPR leagues from Week 1 to Week 10, and it wasn't particularly close; he was a full 25.1 points ahead of the RB2 during that span, Christian McCaffrey, and a full 89.9 points ahead of the RB4, Jahmyr Gibbs. Unfortunately, a slow second half (largely due to Daniel Jones' season-ending injury) derailed that trajectory. The good news is that Jones (Achilles) is trending toward playing in Week 1, and the Colts could also go a little more run-heavy after trading away Michael Pittman Jr. If Jones and Taylor can both stay healthy for the full year -- which is admittedly far from guaranteed -- then the 27-year-old could certainly be the highest-scoring running back and a league winner in redraft formats. There's a little less upside in dynasty leagues, though, given that Taylor is already 27 years old. Even if he does have a bounce-back year in 2026, he's almost certainly on the back half of his career. Most dynasty managers should hold Taylor for now. However, managers looking to win now in a championship window could consider trading for him this offseason, banking on the fact that last year's RB4 finishes even higher this year.

May 5, 2026 7:38 AM EST

Jonathan Taylor Back to High-End RB1 Tier with QB Returning?

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor was a high-end RB1 and a dark-horse MVP candidate throughout the first half of the 2025 NFL season. Across his first 10 games of the year, he was averaging 113.9 rushing yards, 3.0 receptions, 26.0 receiving yards, and 1.7 touchdowns per contest. He ranked as the overall RB1 in PPR leagues from Week 1 to Week 10, and it wasn't particularly close; he was a full 25.1 points ahead of the RB2 during that span, Christian McCaffrey, and a full 89.9 points ahead of the RB4, Jahmyr Gibbs. Things went downhill from there, though, as the Colts hit their bye week and soon after lost Daniel Jones to a season-ending Achilles injury. The suboptimal quarterback play of Riley Leonard and Philip Rivers made it challenging for Jonathan Taylor to maintain his superstar role. He averaged 12.6 fantasy points per game (23rd-best) the rest of the way. Jones has a strong chance to be healthy in Week 1 of the 2026 season, which would be great news for Taylor. The 27-year-old has proven that he can still be an elite ball-carrier if the offense is in decent shape. He continues to be treated as a top running back option in RotoBaller's latest dynasty football rankings, where he ranks as the overall RB6.

Apr 11, 2026 9:21 PM EST

Jonathan Taylor Still Headlines Colts Backfield

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor "still headlines" the team's running backs room, according to The Athletic's James Boyd, and there "hasn't been much chatter" about Taylor's workload as he heads into the final year of his contract in 2026. The 27-year-old was the RB2 in half-PPR fantasy points in 2025, behind only Christian McCaffrey, and he's coming off the fourth 1,000-yard rushing season of his career. He was also named to his third Pro Bowl in his sixth season in the league. The former second-rounder (41st overall) in 2020 out of Wisconsin played in every game in 2025 for the first time since his second year in the NFL, and he tied his career-high with 18 rushing touchdowns. Taylor was a beast for fantasy managers and appears on track to receive similar volume in 2026 as a high-end RB1 target in fantasy drafts. His 323 carries led the league, and it was the second-most rushing attempts he's had in his six-year career.

Mar 22, 2026 7:47 PM EST