10/11 Indystar

[JAFF]

Colts running back Jonathan Taylor getting bigger workload in Week 6
Joel A. Erickson
Indianapolis Star


INDIANAPOLIS — The Colts could not unleash the full power of Jonathan Taylor last week.

The superstar running back signed a three-year deal worth $26 million guaranteed and up to $42 million overall, completing it Saturday and then running out of the tunnel on Sunday to an enormous cheer from the fan base.

Taylor played only 10 snaps in the win over the Titans, carrying the ball six times for 18 yards and catching a pass for a 16-yard gain while playing behind Zack Moss, who erupted for 165 yards and two touchdowns.

“We weren’t going to go play JT 60 snaps last game,” Colts offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter said. “We didn’t think that would be wise.”




Indianapolis limited Taylor’s workload because of how much time he missed this offseason.

Taylor underwent ankle surgery in January, missed all of the team’s spring workouts, then missed all of training camp and the first four weeks of the season. By the time he returned to the practice field last week, it had been more than 290 days, in Taylor’s estimation, since he was on a field.


After all the work he did to rehabilitate the ankle, neither Taylor or the team wanted to see their franchise cornerstone suffer an injury right away because of a lack of work.

“It was dipping my toe in the water,” Taylor said. “But it was also being safe.”

A bigger workload for one of the NFL’s highest-paid running backs is coming.


Taylor had only two days of practice last week, and the Colts plan to gradually build the fourth-year player up to a full workload.

“Yeah, we’re going to ramp him up again this week in practice,” Indianapolis head coach Shane Steichen said.

In addition to recovering from the injury, he is playing in a new offense for the first time in the NFL.

“It’s tough for anybody to just come in after an extended period of time (away) and get right into the flow of the game, have a feel for the defenses, the schemes, the offense,” Taylor said.

Taylor’s first couple of carries, in fact, felt a little out of the ordinary.

Even if his body felt the way it should.

“It was weird at first because of the speed of the game,” Taylor said. “No matter how much of a pro you are, if you have been out for an extended period of time, you just need those one or two plays to kind of reset.”

With rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson on injured reserve for at least four games, and potentially more, the Colts will likely need Taylor and Moss to keep the running game humming with Gardner Minshew at the helm.

“Shoot, those two guys both playing good football will be pretty fun to see,” Cooter said. “We’ll see if we can keep that coming.”

[JAFF]

Insider: What the Colts placing Anthony Richardson on Injured Reserve means
Nate Atkins
Indianapolis Star


Anthony Richardson is going to see a shortened rookie season this year.

The Colts rookie quarterback is headed to Injured Reserve due to the AC joint sprain he suffered in his throwing shoulder against the Titans on Sunday. He will miss at least the next four games. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that Richardson is expected to miss as many as eight weeks, depending on rehabilitation and whether he needs surgery.

On Wednesday, Colts coach Shane Steichen would not rule out a possible surgery. He would not guarantee that Richardson makes a return this season.

"We'll see," Steichen said.


Gardner Minshew becomes the Colts' starting quarterback. He has finished four of their five games so far, including a start he won in Baltimore in Week 3.

"It’s tough when a guy gets dinged up like he’s been dinged up," Steichen said Monday. "He’s obviously a very, very talented player, and it’s tough. But we have a lot of faith in Gardner too to step in and go operate the way he’s been doing.”

Colts insider:How Colts built two offenses this offseason to be ready for change at QB

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson has an AC joint sprain in his throwing shoulder.
Richardson suffered the injury on a designed run in the second quarter of Sunday's 23-16 victory over the Titans. A defender fell on him as he was headed to the ground and pinned his shoulder into the turf, causing the sprain.

It's the second official injury for Richardson this season, as he suffered a brain injury against the Texans that held him out of the following week against the Ravens. He also had knee soreness from a hit against the Jaguars in the season opener. As a result, Minshew has finished four of the team's five games so far.

Richardson has shown his upside on the field, becoming the first quarterback in the Super Bowl era with a rushing touchdown in each of his first three games. He has four rushing scores already to go with 5.4 yards per carry. As a passer, he's completed 60% of his passes for three touchdowns, one interception and 6.9 yards per attempt.

Minshew has filled in admirably for stretches when Richardson has been out. He's completing 69% of his passes for two touchdowns, no interceptions and 6.7 yards per attempt. He does not have the rushing capability of Richardson, as he's carried it four times for four yards so far.


Colts news:Colts QB Anthony Richardson will miss Sunday's game, timetable unknown per Shane Steichen

Minshew has been a starting quarterback before, including with the Jaguars, whom he will face on Sunday. Minshew is 9-16 in his career.

Richardson must miss at least the next four games, but it's possible he could miss more as the Colts decide how early to bring back a rookie quarterback. The Colts are 3-2 and in a tie for first place in the AFC South.

"For Anthony, a guy who has been through a lot of adversity this year, taking a couple hits, it's tough. You never want to see that happen," right guard Will Fries said. "He's a tough kid. I know he'll bounce back."

[JAFF]

Colts running back Jonathan Taylor getting bigger workload in Week 6
Joel A. Erickson
Indianapolis Star


INDIANAPOLIS — The Colts could not unleash the full power of Jonathan Taylor last week.

The superstar running back signed a three-year deal worth $26 million guaranteed and up to $42 million overall, completing it Saturday and then running out of the tunnel on Sunday to an enormous cheer from the fan base.

Taylor played only 10 snaps in the win over the Titans, carrying the ball six times for 18 yards and catching a pass for a 16-yard gain while playing behind Zack Moss, who erupted for 165 yards and two touchdowns.

“We weren’t going to go play JT 60 snaps last game,” Colts offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter said. “We didn’t think that would be wise.”


Indianapolis limited Taylor’s workload because of how much time he missed this offseason.

Taylor underwent ankle surgery in January, missed all of the team’s spring workouts, then missed all of training camp and the first four weeks of the season. By the time he returned to the practice field last week, it had been more than 290 days, in Taylor’s estimation, since he was on a field.

After all the work he did to rehabilitate the ankle, neither Taylor or the team wanted to see their franchise cornerstone suffer an injury right away because of a lack of work.

“It was dipping my toe in the water,” Taylor said. “But it was also being safe.”

A bigger workload for one of the NFL’s highest-paid running backs is coming.


Insider:How Colts built their offense to be ready for a QB change

Taylor had only two days of practice last week, and the Colts plan to gradually build the fourth-year player up to a full workload.

“Yeah, we’re going to ramp him up again this week in practice,” Indianapolis head coach Shane Steichen said.




In addition to recovering from the injury, he is playing in a new offense for the first time in the NFL.

“It’s tough for anybody to just come in after an extended period of time (away) and get right into the flow of the game, have a feel for the defenses, the schemes, the offense,” Taylor said.

Taylor’s first couple of carries, in fact, felt a little out of the ordinary.

Even if his body felt the way it should.

“It was weird at first because of the speed of the game,” Taylor said. “No matter how much of a pro you are, if you have been out for an extended period of time, you just need those one or two plays to kind of reset.”

With rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson on injured reserve for at least four games, and potentially more, the Colts will likely need Taylor and Moss to keep the running game humming with Gardner Minshew at the helm.


“Shoot, those two guys both playing good football will be pretty fun to see,” Cooter said. “We’ll see if we can keep that coming.”