by Kevin Hickey
The Indianapolis Colts are nearing the period of eligibility in which running back Jonathan Taylor can be activated from the reserve/PUP list, but the star runner reportedly still doesn’t want to play for the Colts.
Taylor hasn’t been on the field with the Colts since the end of the 2022 season, and he spent the offseason, training camp and preseason rehabbing his ankle from an arthroscopic debridement procedure in January. He also has been in a contract dispute with the team so it’s unclear how much of that has truly led to his absence from the team.
Taylor is eligible to return from the PUP list after the Week 4 game against the Los Angeles Rams but according to ESPN’s Dan Graziano, he reportedly still has no desire to play for the team.
From what I understand, he still doesn’t want to play for the Colts, and they still don’t want to give him a long-term contract.
This entire saga has been incredibly frustrating to follow. So much has happened behind the scenes that it’s difficult to get a true gauge of what the outcome will be.
Despite reports that Taylor could’ve passed a physical in Week 1, general manager Chris Ballard was adamant that the 24-year-old’s ankle was still injured. He also posted a video to his Instagram showing off some progress in terms of his movement.
The Colts listened to some offers for Taylor, reportedly seeking some big packages in return, which caused the trade market to fizzle out. But it could pick back up again with Taylor eligible to return after this week.
The Colts essentially have the leverage. If the team deems him physically ready to perform, and Taylor conducts a holdout, he would receive a fine of $238,888 for every game he missed.
But if Taylor truly does want out of Indy, he will have to get on the field at some point. In order to get credit for an accrued season, he needs to be “physically able to perform by Week 6” and activated to the roster during the regular season or postseason, according to the CBA.
If he’s not, his contract will toll—essentially rollover into 2024. They would be back in the same exact situation.
We’re still very much in wait-and-see mode with this entire situation, but more information is likely to come out as the week progresses.
Originally posted on coltswire.usatoday.com