Jonathan Taylor is back in action.
If the Houston Texans can’t duplicate their success from Week 1 against the Pro Bowl runner, they’re in for a long afternoon at NRG Stadium.
As the Texans take on the Indianapolis Colts, both teams are trending in different directions. Houston (5-2) is without its star receiver Nico Collins and several defensive players, including linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair and defensive back Jimmie Ward.
Indianapolis (4-3) recently announced that defensive tackle DeForest Buckner would come off the injured reserve and make his debut in Week 8 on the road. Receiver Josh Downs is also expected to play after missing several games with a lower-body injury.
I know I’m slowing these clips down a tad to showcase Jonathan Taylor’s eyes/footwork, but I’m starting to wonder if this is how he sees the field on Sundays lol.
His patience as a runner is elite pic.twitter.com/ri9UMZrT2d
— Zach Hicks (@ZachHicks2) September 23, 2024
And Taylor? Barring a last-second injury, expect to see him on the field for the first time in three weeks.
Jonathan Taylor injury update
Taylor suffered an ankle injury in Week 4’s win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Colts coach Shane Steichen never put a timetable on the All-Pro running back’s injury but did mention it would be a “week-to-week” evaluation.
Taylor practiced for a third consecutive day Friday and was not given a status designation on the week’s final injury report, meaning he’s cleared to play on Sunday in hopes of securing a tie for the AFC South division title. Taylor has been known as a Texans’ tyrant over his tenure since being drafted out of Wisconsin in 2020, especially in recent years.
In Week 18 against the Texans last year, Taylor rushed for 188 yards and scored a touchdown in a 23-19 loss. In 2022, he rushed for 161 yards and a touchdown in the Week 1 opener.
Colts RB Jonathan Taylor is off the injury report and will return this Sunday.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) October 25, 2024
Taylor still is on pace to rush for over 1,000 yards for the third time in his career. In four active games this season, he’s averaging 87.3 yards per contest with four touchdowns. Taylor also has totaled 11 explosive runs of over 10 yards.
How long will Jonathan Taylor be out?
Taylor will suit up for the first time since Week 4. He is not expected to miss any more time because of his previous injury.
Colts RB depth chart
Indianapolis’ run game has been inconsistent this year without Taylor. Tyler Goodson and Trey Sermon have rotated as the top option, but quarterback Anthony Richardson ranks second in rushing yards with 197.
Goodson totaled 51 yards in games against the Titans and Dolphins and scored a touchdown in Week 7. Sermon averaged 4.5 yards in Sunday’s win over Miami.
