INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – At training camp, Jonathan Taylor, the running back for the Indianapolis Colts, appears to be his former self.
In sharp contrast to the guy who arrived last summer with a damaged ankle and a melancholy approach to a bitter contract spat, he is joyful, healthy, and driven.
Coworkers saw that Taylor’s unexpected change was just the outcome of him handling team business. Now, however, after two seasons marred by injuries, they’re hoping that his return to a carefree attitude will also result in a return to form.
After Sunday’s hot practice, linebacker Zaire Franklin said, “Just being able to have JT in the building, his influence, his leadership, his energy, just appreciate that, knowing he’s through those woods.” It means a lot to have him on the field after that. The league’s best back is him.”
That was definitely the case in 2020, when Taylor became the first player to reach 1,000 yards after being forced to bear a bigger load than typical rookies due to an injury. It also happened in 2021 when Taylor defeated two-time champion Derrick Henry to win the NFL running crown.
Taylor has become one of the league’s best backs in just two seasons. In addition to catching 76 catches for an extra 659 yards and three touchdowns, he ran for almost 3,000 yards and 29 touchdowns.
On Monday, August 5, 2024, in Westfield, Indiana, during the NFL football team’s training camp, running back Jonathan Taylor of the Indianapolis Colts makes a catch. (Image by Darron Cummings/AP)
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On Monday, August 5, 2024, in Westfield, Indiana, during the NFL football team’s training camp, running back Jonathan Taylor of the Indianapolis Colts makes a catch. (Image by Darron Cummings/AP)
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After that, Taylor’s career took a different turn due to his injuries.
After deciding to forego offseason surgery, he missed all of Indianapolis’ 2023 offseason workouts, training camp, preseason, and the Colts’ first four regular-season games. This came just as he was about to enter the final year of his contract. In 2022, he missed six games due to a sprained ankle, which limited him to 861 yards and four touchdowns.
The seemingly unflappable Taylor found himself in the news for all the wrong reasons all of a sudden: he publicly requested a trade, carried the torch for the league’s underpaid running back, and met with team owner Jim Irsay in his motorhome while a large crowd watched the Colts’ evening practice. In response, Taylor was granted authorization by team executives to look for a trade partner.
Supporters believed that the damaged connection was irreparable. Just before making his season debut in October, Taylor inked a $42 million three-year contract extension that appeared to make atonement by letting him concentrate entirely on getting back to his All-Pro form.
Regarding his fresh start this season, Taylor remarked, “It’s almost like when you go to take a test.” “When you know you haven´t been studying, you kind of have that seed of doubt, but when you know you´ve had a full offseason of preparation, you know the time, you know the sweat equity you put in, you just can´t wait to go and attack it.”
Without a doubt, the 25-year-old Taylor believes he still has a lot to prove.
A few cautious scouts believed that the heavy collegiate workload of the former New Jersey prep star would result in a brief career. Taylor was 23 yards short of becoming the first FBS player to record three seasons with 2,000 yards of total offense despite having 926 carries in three seasons at Wisconsin.
After rushing for 1,602 yards and 11 touchdowns in the previous two seasons, Taylor is now eager to prove to everyone that he can bounce back, even though there were signs late in the last campaign.
After a sluggish start, Taylor nearly reached 100 yards three times in a six-game span while dividing the carries with Zack Moss. Taylor’s 13-game run without gaining more than 100 yards on the ground was ultimately broken when he ran for 188 yards in a season-ending defeat to Houston.
Nevertheless, with all five of the starting offensive linemen returning, Taylor will be teamed in the backfield with second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson, who is just as strong with his legs as he is with his arm, and Moss now in Cincinnati. Richardson played just one game snap with Taylor on the field before sustaining an injury that ended his season.
Some others, like Taylor, are curious to see how it operates.
“It’s just something that I didn’t get last year,” Taylor responded with a well-known smile when asked about working with Richardson in the off-season. Thus, it’s always a huge benefit if you can get consistent practice with your quarterback. Right now, where we are, excites me.”
Franklin is also in agreement, having witnessed firsthand what happens to linebackers across the league when Taylor and Richardson line up in the backfield together.
It hasn’t been easy, even for Franklin, who last season was second in the league with 179 tackles.
Franklin stated, “You just can’t really trust anything you see.” “They simply keep putting E.J. (Speed) or me in difficult positions where we have to make choices. Admittedly, there are instances when one must rely on guesswork. Sometimes you make the wrong guess, but it’s difficult. I am aware that it is difficult to respect Anthony’s legs in a full contact live scenario and then tackle JT in space.”
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