ColtFreaks.com - Indianapolis Colts Fan Forum - Colts running back Jonathan Taylor is reportedly healthy, targeting Week 5 return

Colts running back Jonathan Taylor is reportedly healthy, targeting Week 5 return

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INDIANAPOLIS — Jonathan Taylor is targeting a minimum stay on the reserve/physically unable to perform list, according to reports by ESPN and the NFL Network.

Taylor has been on the list since the beginning of training camp due to the ankle injury he suffered last season and the surgery he subsequently went through in January; Indianapolis kept him on the PUP list to start the season.

Under NFL rules, Taylor has to miss at least the first four weeks of the season, but the reports indicate the former All-Pro running back is healthy now and plans to be back in the lineup in Week 5.

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Taylor has been in the Colts’ facility as the team prepared for Sunday’s opener against Jacksonville.

“He’s in the building,” Indianapolis head coach Shane Steichen said. “When he’s in here, he’s rehabbing, too.”

How the ugly contract dispute is resolved between Taylor and the Colts remains to be seen.

Indianapolis does not plan to offer Taylor an extension until after the season. Colts general manager Chris Ballard doubled down on that position in his press conference at the end of roster reductions, citing the team’s desire to see how players fit in Steichen’s offense and the team’s lack of success last season.

“We won four games last year,” Ballard said. “We won four games.”

Taylor, who has watched every other drafted Colts star land extensions before the final year of their rookie contract begins, wants an extension now.

The running back requested a trade at the beginning of training camp, was given permission to seek a trade at the end of training camp and drew interest from the Dolphins and Packers, according to reports, although neither team met the Indianapolis asking price.

Ballard has reportedly set a high price for the running back’s services.

“Jonathan is valuable,” Ballard said. “At the end of the day, I’m not just going to let him walk out the door. I’m not going to do that. That’s not the best thing for the Colts.”

The Indianapolis general manager has also said he believes the team’s relationship with Taylor can be repaired.

More:Colts GM Chris Ballard believes relationship with Jonathan Taylor can be fixed. How is unclear

But without a contract on the table, it’s unclear how the Colts plan to mend those fences, although the team also doesn’t have to meet his trade demands. If not, Taylor would have to come back for Indianapolis and play this season, then head into free agency to look for a new destination next year. The Colts, however, have the option of the franchise tag to keep Taylor for as many as two seasons.