INDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor will practice with the team Wednesday and could play in Sunday's conference matchup against the Tennessee Titans.
Head coach Shane Steichen confirmed the news Monday afternoon and said Taylor is being activated off the physically unable to perform (PUP) list.
Steichen said he has had productive conversations with Taylor, who said he is "super excited" to be back with his teammates.
Kickoff for Sunday's game between the Colts (2-2) and Titans (2-2) is set for 1 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 8 at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Taylor has not practiced since the end of last season because of an offseason ankle surgery. The 2021 NFL rushing champion went on the PUP list when the Colts reported to training camp July 25.
In early August, Taylor was absent from training camp as he continued to rehab his injury. On Aug. 16, he left camp for the second time for an excused absence to tend to a personal matter. He rejoined the team a few days later.
On Aug. 21, NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport cited sources in a post, saying there have been conversations about finding a trade partner for the 2021 rushing leader. According to Rapoport, "several GMs and talent evaluators were informed earlier today that Taylor is available."
According to Rapoport, Taylor's agent, Malki Kawa, had started the process of calling other teams searching for a trade partner.
Taylor's injury was just one complication in an ugly contract dispute that played out on X, formerly known as Twitter, in the media and even included a one-hour meeting between Taylor and Jim Irsay on the team owner's motorhome, which was parked in full view of a capacity crowd at the team's training camp complex.
The 2021 NFL rushing champ also wants an extension as he enters the final year of his rookie contract. Taylor is slated to earn $4.3 million this season and has been one of the more vocal running backs in recent months who has complained about the low value placed on the position by teams.
Many running backs don't get second contracts, and teams are generally unwilling to pay premium money for players whose careers tend to be shorter and younger, quicker, cheaper options are almost always available. As a result, only kickers and punters have lower franchise tags than the $10.1 million for rushers.
As a rookie, Taylor rushed for 1,169 yards and averaged 5.0 yards per carry after replacing the injured Marlon Mack as Indy's starter. In 2021, he led the league with 1,811 yards, 18 TD runs and 2,171 yards from scrimmage while sharing the league lead in total touchdowns (20).
The bad ankle cost him six games last season, and he wound up rushing for 861 yards, 4.5 yards per carry and four TDs — all career lows — as Indy sputtered to a 4-12-1 mark.
Indy had been counting on Taylor to rebound this season as rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson, the No. 4 overall pick in April's draft, takes over as the starter. It appears they still want him in that role.