Jonathan Taylor and the Indianapolis Colts wasted all of the positive momentum that they built in Week 3 with their victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. Hosting their division rivals, the Tennessee Titans in Week 4, the Colts put forth another weak effort, trailing by as many as 21 points in the first half.
Indianapolis doesn’t have much time to recover from their Week 4 as they are now heading on the road to face the Denver Broncos on Thursday Night Football. That is a monumental task to overcome as Denver is already a difficult place to play when you have a full week of preparation.
In addition to the short week, the Colts are going to be very short-handed for the game. Star linebacker Shaquille Leonard, who made his season debut against the Titans, has already been ruled out because of a concussion. Tyquan Lewis has also been ruled out.
The defense isn’t the only group hampered. The offense could be put behind the eight-ball as well with Jonathan Taylor nursing an ankle injury. Right now, Taylor is planning to play, but his status is certainly up in the air. Had the game been scheduled to play today, Taylor would not have been able to go according to head coach Frank Reich.
“I definitely plan to play, but if you can’t go, you can’t go,” Taylor said. “That’s why you get as much treatment as you can.”
The tests that were done on Taylor’s ankle did come back negative, which is encouraging. They are hopeful that he can play and are under the thinking that should he be on the field, he will not be able to make the injury any worse.
This is something entirely new to Taylor who has never missed a game of football in his life. Whether it was peewee through high school and collegiately, Taylor has suited up for every game his team has played in at every level.
If Taylors is unable to go, the Colts will turn to some combination of Nyheim Hines and Deon Jackson in the backfield. Hines has been used mostly as a receiving specialist in his career but would likely have to handle some carries in Taylor’s absence.