NFL

Colts don't trade Taylor, place him on PUP list

By Sports Desk August 29, 2023

Tuesday's deadline has come and gone, and Johnathan Taylor is still with the Indianapolis Colts.

The Colts were unable to work out a deal for the disgruntled running back, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Media, and ended up placing him on the physically unable to perform list, which makes him ineligible for at least the first four games of the 2023 NFL season.

A trade could still be arranged prior to the NFL's trade deadline of October 31, but Taylor still can't play in the season's first four weeks, even if he is dealt to a new team.

Indianapolis opens the season against the Jacksonville Jaguars on September 10, and the earliest Taylor could play is in Week 5.

 

The Miami Dolphins were reportedly the team most serious in making a deal for Taylor, but ultimately the Colts didn't feel any trade offers were of fair value.

The Colts granted the 24-year-old permission to seek a trade just over a week ago as the team and the 2021 NFL rushing champion remained locked in an ongoing contract dispute.

Taylor, the runner-up for the NFL's Offensive Player of the Year in 2021, is entering the final season of his rookie deal and is scheduled to earn $4.3 million in 2023.

The fourth-year pro ran for a franchise-record 1,811 yards in 2021, but was slowed by injuries last year and was put on the PUP list earlier this summer as he recovers from ankle surgery that ended his 2022 campaign in December.

Ankle issues limited Taylor to 11 games last season, which he finished with 861 rushing yards and four touchdowns while averaging 4.5 yards per attempt.

Taylor averaged 5.5 yards per carry during his sensational 2021 season in which he also tied for the NFL lead with 20 total touchdowns while playing in all 17 games.

Since entering the NFL as a second-round pick of the Colts in 2020, Taylor's 33 rushing touchdowns are tied for second in the NFL and his 3,841 rushing yards are the fourth most of any player, trailing only Derrick Henry, Dalvin Cook and Nick Chubb. 

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