Jonathan Taylor Denies Injury Report

The relationship between Jonathan Taylor and the Indianapolis Colts appears to be headed to the point of no return.

The running back market this offseason took a sharp turn downwards, and free agent to be Jonathan Taylor of the Indianapolis Colts took notice.

After meeting with owner Jim Irsay over the weekend about a contract extension, Taylor reportedly asked for a trade.

Sunday evening, Colts' beat writer for ESPN Stephen Holder reported Indianapolis was considering placing Taylor on the non-football injury (NFI) list. 

According to Holder, Taylor reported back pain from a previous injury during his physical. Putting Taylor on the NFI would give the Colts the option of not paying Taylor while he remained on the list.

Source to ESPN: Colts RB Jonathan Taylor reported to training camp complaining of back pain that was deemed to be from a pre-existing issue. The team is now considering placing him on the non-football injury list, which could result in his not being paid for the regular season.

— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) July 31, 2023

"Source to ESPN: Colts RB Jonathan Taylor reported to training camp complaining of back pain that was deemed to be from a pre-existing issue," reported Holder on Twitter. "The team is now considering placing him on the non-football injury list, which could result in his not being paid for the regular season."

Not even two-hours later, Taylor took to Twitter to deny Holder's report.

1.) Never had a back pain.

2.) Never reported back pain.

Not sure who “sources” are, but find new ones 🤔

— Jonathan Taylor (@JayT23) July 31, 2023

"1.) Never had a back pain. 2.) Never reported back pain. Not sure who “sources” are, but find new ones," wrote Taylor via Twitter. 

Clearly Holder's sources came from within the team as they play hardball with Taylor after he requested a trade. However, Taylor's side of the story was never taken into account by Holder.

The Indianapolis Colts have a long history of taking care of their own free agents, but in this case, the relationship with Jonathan Taylor seems to be heading towards the point of no return.

The NFL Players Union will get involved if the Colts were to attempt to place Taylor on the NFI and not pay him if Taylor contests the injury status.

It would be a bad precedent for the Colts to try and force the issue. If Taylor decides to hold out rather than play on the final year of his rookie contract, he ends up looking like the bad guy.

Of course, his rookie contract makes him the 37th-highest paid running back in the NFL this season according to Spotrac.

With the short-shelf life a running back has in this league, Taylor isn't out of line to want more long-term security than his rookie contract affords him.

But the two sides are oceans apart right now on any type of agreement, and the relationship is getting worse, not better as we countdown to Week 1.