Jonathan Taylor Out After Early Ankle Injury vs. Vikings

He exited the game after just one reception early on.

The Colts are up big on the Vikings early, but will have to close out the game without star running back Jonathan Taylor.

Taylor suffered an ankle injury early on in Saturday’s game in Minnesota, and the team announced that he will not return. 

He exited the game after just one touch: a 13-yard reception on a pass from quarterback Matt Ryan. In his absence, Deon Jackson and Zack Moss will carry the load for the Colts. Jackson has a one-yard touchdown reception on the game so far, along with seven carries for 23 yards, while Moss has six carries for three yards.

On the season, Taylor has 192 carries for 861 yards and four touchdowns, taking a step back from his remarkable first two seasons in the NFL. He earned first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors a year ago, rushing for 1,811 yards and 18 touchdowns for Indianapolis. He led all NFL rushers by 552 yards and three touchdowns in 2021.

Colts rule RB Jonathan Taylor (ankle) out.

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) December 17, 2022

Even with Taylor out for most of the game so far, it has been a dominant performance for Indianapolis thanks to strong defense and special teams play, and a blunder-filled game by Minnesota so far.

The Colts (4-8-1) lead the Vikings (10–3) 23–0 midway through in the second quarter.