In a season marred by injuries to key players, the Indianapolis Colts are finally receiving some positive news. Star running back Jonathan Taylor, who has been sidelined for the past three games due to a high ankle sprain, is set to make his much-anticipated return this Sunday against the Houston Texans.
Taylor’s absence has been felt deeply by the Colts’ offense, which has struggled to establish a consistent running game without their star ball-carrier. In the three games Taylor has missed, Indianapolis has averaged a mere 89.6 rushing yards per contest, a significant drop-off from their usual production.
A Dual-Threat Boost
While the Colts did see a resurgence in their ground attack last week, thanks in large part to the return of dual-threat quarterback Anthony Richardson, the addition of Taylor brings another dimension to their offense. The tandem of Richardson and Taylor has shared the backfield for less than four full games this season due to various injuries, leaving fans and the coaching staff eager to see what they can accomplish together.
In his four appearances this year, Taylor has averaged an impressive 87.3 yards per game, finding the end zone four times and racking up 11 explosive runs (plays of 10+ yards). His ability to break off big gains and wear down defenses has been sorely missed during his time on the sidelines.
Road to Recovery
Taylor’s journey back to the field has been a gradual one. Prior to this week, he had not practiced since sustaining the high ankle sprain in Week 4 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, the 23-year-old has made steady progress, participating in practice on a limited basis Wednesday before ramping up to full participation Thursday and Friday.
“It felt great to finally be out there because you’ve been the training room,” Taylor said this week. “It’s a great place, but that’s not really where you want to be.”
– Jonathan Taylor on returning to practice
The Colts’ medical staff and coaching personnel have closely monitored Taylor’s progress, ensuring that he is fully prepared to handle the rigors of game action before green-lighting his return. With no setbacks reported and Taylor not receiving an injury designation on the final report, all signs point to him being ready to roll against Houston.
Pivotal AFC South Clash
Taylor’s return comes at a critical juncture for the Colts, who find themselves in the thick of the AFC playoff race. A win over the divisional rival Texans would not only improve their postseason chances but also give them a much-needed confidence boost heading into the final stretch of the regular season.
With defensive tackle DeForest Buckner also potentially returning from a five-game absence due to his own ankle injury, Indianapolis could be poised to make a strong push down the homestretch. The Colts faithful will undoubtedly be excited to see their star running back in action once again, hoping that his presence can elevate the team to new heights as they pursue a playoff berth.
As kickoff approaches, all eyes will be on Jonathan Taylor and the Indianapolis offense, eager to witness the impact of his highly-anticipated return. If he can quickly regain his pre-injury form, the Colts may just have the firepower necessary to make some noise in a wide-open AFC.
