Falcons BREAKING: Jonathan Taylor Playing Sunday vs. Atlanta?

Falcons BREAKING: Injured Jonathan Taylor Practices for Indianapolis Colts; Playing Sunday vs. Atlanta?

The Indianapolis Colts, like the Atlanta Falcons, are fighting for the playoff lives, and in the case of the Colts on Wednesday?

It looks like star running back Jonathan Taylor is back for the stretch run.

Taylor hasn't been able to take the field with the Colts since he underwent surgery on his thumb after being injured during a Nov. 26 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

But if he's healthy now? Taylor, still just 24 - who has 5,194 yards from scrimmage with  41 touchdowns in 50 career games - is among the game's scariest weapons.

Jonathan Taylor :: Robert Scheer/IndyStar/USA TODAY Network

Taylor was the NFL rushing champion with 1,811 yards in his second season in the league but got off to a poor start this year due to injury issues paired with a contract dispute.

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Now, though, the 6-8 Falcons might have to deal with a talent who, after missing the first four games of the season, is starting to roll. Taylor has 414 rushing yards and four touchdowns in seven games ... often having split time with Zack Moss ... and there is a story there as well for the 8-5 Colts.

Moss (forearm) didn't practice. Meanwhile, wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. was limited after taking a hit from Steelers safety Damontae Kazee last week deemed so vicious that Kazee has been handed a ban for rest of the season by the NFL.

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Also out at midweek for the Colts is kicker Matt Gay, who has struggled of late and is listed as "DNP" with a right hip injury.

Just as Atlanta is jousting with the Bucs and Saints in the NFC South, the Colts - who have won five of their last six - are tied with the Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars in the AFC South.