The saga between the Indianapolis Colts and Jonathan Taylor took another turn on Tuesday.
Taylor was not in attendance during Tuesday’s practice and he is continuing work to rehab his ankle away from the team, according to ESPN.
Injured players are usually on the field for each workout.
The running back has been in a standoff with the team over the lack of contact extension talks, but ESPN reported the Colts had been made aware of Taylor’s plans ahead of time.
A source told the outlet that Taylor is expected to be away from the team for several days while he rehabs the injury.
It had been previously reported that Taylor had come into camp complaining of back and hamstring tightness, which he vehemently denied, additionally to the offseason ankle surgery that landed him on the physically unable to perform list.
The biggest issue, of course, has been the stalemate between the two sides and Taylor’s subsequent request to be traded by Indianapolis.
Owner Jim Irsay has stated publicly that they would not honor such a request.
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor watches a drill during the Indianapolis Colts Training Camp on July 29, 2023, at the Grand Park Sports Campus in Westfield, IN. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images“We will not trade Jonathan Taylor,” Irsay said at the end of July. “That is a certainty. Not now or not in October.”
However, Taylor has held out hope that the Colts’ position could change at some point.
Taylor had a league-leading 1,811 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns in 2021, finishing as an All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection.
In three seasons with the Colts, he’s rushed for 3,841 yards and 33 touchdowns.
Taylor vaulted himself among the NFL’s top running backs in 2021. Getty ImagesHe also has 104 receptions (three touchdowns) for 802 receiving yards.
Taylor has one more year remaining on his rookie deal and would be a free agent next offseason if a contract extension isn’t worked out.
