Colts' Jonathan Taylor 'Will Be Away from the Team' During Camp

It’s been reported that Indianapolis Colts star running back Jonathan Taylor has been excused from practice for the time being, with the preseason mere days away.

It’s been reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport that the Indianapolis Colts have allowed running back Jonathan Taylor to have an excused absence from practice.

From Inside Training Camp: #Colts RB Jonathan Taylor will be away from the team for a bit with an excused absence. pic.twitter.com/c73Ko9Tk5C

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 8, 2023

Rapoport said, “Jonathan Taylor received an excused absence from practice, actually has not been with the team since at least yesterday. He is, I’m told, away from the facility seeking treatment on his ankle.”

Rapoport is referring to the surgically repaired ankle from earlier in the year that sidelined Taylor for some of the 2022 campaign.

Rapoport later says, “Now he’s gonna be away from the team for a little bit, to get the treatment he needs to make sure that it is absolutely 100 percent when the season begins.”

There wasn’t much else provided regarding details, but it seems that the injury could have either been more nagging than previously thought or that it’s simply the Colts making certain that Taylor is comfortable with the final stages of rehabbing his ankle. If there’s a lingering issue with his ankle at this point, it might add a wrench to the contract extension issues he’s having with the Colts.

Along with that news, Colts head coach Shane Steichen also provided some vague information on why Taylor wasn’t present at practice.

Shane Steichen on Jonathan Taylor not at practice:

-“Part of his rehab process, if you guys don’t see him out here.”

-No comment if JT is rehabbing on site

-“It’s the ankle.”

-On if JT will practice in camp: “Yeah, I’d like to see that. We’ll see how it all plays out though.”

— Kevin Bowen (@KBowen1070) August 8, 2023

Steichen said, “Part of his rehab process if you guys don’t see him out here.” As Steichen typically does with questions, he didn’t provide the most clear-cut information on specifically where Taylor is getting his treatment.

Steichen later said about Taylor practicing at camp, “Yeah, I’d like to see that. We’ll see how it all plays out, though.”

Again, Steichen isn’t generally one to talk too much, but he acknowledges that having Taylor’s talents on the practice field is a benefit. Especially given the development of quarterback Anthony Richardson and what he could accomplish with the big-time playmaker in the backfield.

These updates provide a snippet of context into an otherwise wild offseason story for the Colts and Taylor. This has gone from a dramatic spat between team owner Jim Irsay and Taylor’s agent Malki Kawa to a question mark surrounding Taylor’s ankle rehab and, potentially, his future with the organization. As Steichen mentioned, we’re all going to have to see how this plays out in the days ahead. 

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