Pro Football Network has selected one player from each team who is “under the most pressure” in the 2024 season. For the Indianapolis Colts, the site chose running back Jonathan Taylor.
“Despite his injuries in training camp and because his name was linked to the much-publicized controversy surrounding the running back’s value, Taylor has remained in Indy. But this season offers another chance to prove that Taylor can return to his 2021 form, when he rushed for 1,811 yards.”
This is an important year for Taylor after he struggled with injuries over the past two seasons, appearing in just 21 games during that time.
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Although Taylor didn’t perform to the level he did during his All-Pro season in 2021, he was still effective last season, averaging 4.4 yards per carry and totaling 741 rushing yards with seven scores, including an impressive 188-yard performance in Week 18 against Houston.
The big factor that will get Taylor back on his feet this season is that he “feels great” after being healthy all offseason. As Taylor described, when you start a season banged up, you spend the whole year trying to catch up instead of trying to keep up the deficit and make progress.
GM Chris Ballard believes Taylor is in for a “really big year.”
Another factor in Taylor’s success will be that he can play behind an offensive line that returns all five starters and was one of the better units last season. An additional playmaker at receiver in Adonai Mitchell could also mean he has fewer tough boxes to cover.
Taylor will also share the backfield with Anthony Richardson – the two only played two snaps together in 2023. This combination will be able to really put pressure on the defense in Shane Steichen’s RPO-heavy offense.
“Having Anthony and JT back there,” said offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter. “JT has a long track record and leads the league in rushing. Now we have Anthony, and there can be a collision on defense on a running play and JT is running left and Anthony is running right. How do you defend that as a defense?
“You have two really explosive players who might have a chance to get the ball on a running play. How do you defend all that? It’s exciting.”
Having Taylor healthy all season will be a big factor for the Colts offense, as a strong running game is a young quarterback’s best friend. When the running game can be relied upon, it keeps the offense from predictable, long down-and-distance situations.
Although Taylor only signed a three-year contract extension last October, given the structure of the deal, the Colts could save $10.43 million in salary cap space next offseason by parting ways with him.
