Anthony Richardson and Jonathan Taylor are the two biggest names on the Indianapolis Colts roster, but they’ve barely played one game together so far. Richardson has played four of the Colts five games this year and Taylor has appeared in just one. Taylor missed the first four games while on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. He was nursing an ankle injury and requested a trade due to a contract dispute. However, he is healthy now and recently signed a three-year, $42 million extension. Activated from the PUP list, he made his debut this past Sunday in a 23-16 win over the Tennessee Titans. Richardson had been looking forward to playing alongside Taylor. The rookie QB said he “can only imagine what it’s like but we won’t see until it actually happens.” Unfortunately, Richardson left the Titans game early with a Grade 3 AC joint spray and could be sidelined for at least a month.
Anthony Richardson and Jonathan Taylor Could Form a Dynamic Duo
Indianapolis Has Found a Franchise QB
The Colts selected Peyton Manning with the first overall pick in the 1998 NFL Draft. The former Tennessee Volunteer spent 14 seasons with the team, leading the team to a Super Bowl victory and developing into one of the league’s greatest quarterbacks of all time. Indianapolis struck gold again, drafting Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck with the top pick in 2012. The Houston, Texas native turned out to be a star but wound up retiring abruptly before the 2019 season.
Since Luck’s retirement, the Colts have added veterans like Philip Rivers, Carson Wentz, and Matt Ryan. None of those guys proved to be the long-term solution as each player lasted only one season with the team. The Colts finally used a first-round pick on a quarterback, drafting Richardson fourth overall in the 2023 NFL Draft. So far, it appears the team has found the franchise signal-caller they’ve been looking for. Sadly, he has had trouble shaking off the injury bug, Richardson already has four rushing touchdowns. Plus, he led the Colts back from a 23-point deficit against the Los Angeles Rams although they ultimately lost in overtime 29-23.
Taylor is an Elite Running Back When Healthy
Taylor was selected by the Colts in the second round (41st overall pick) of the 2020 draft. It didn’t take him long to make a major impact at the next level. Starting 13 games, he rushed for 1,169 yards and 11 touchdowns during his rookie year. 2021 was clearly his best season. He led the league in both rushing yards (1,811) and touchdowns (18), earning him a trip to the Pro Bowl. During a 41-15 win over the Buffalo Bills that year, Taylor recorded 185 rushing yards and four touchdowns. He also caught three passes for 19 yards and a touchdown. Taylor missed six games due to injury last season. He still rushed for 861 yards and four touchdowns for the disappointing Colts, who finished with a horrible 4-12-1 record.
In his one game this year, he generated six carries for 18 yards and had a 16-yard reception. The Colts are bringing him along slowly after not playing for 295 days. Taylor is hands-down one of the league’s top running backs when healthy. We’ll see if he can return to his 2021 form at some point this season.
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The Richardson and Taylor Show Could Be “Must-See” TV”
Taylor was involved in plenty of trade rumors, but those rumors should cease now that he has a long-term contract. He’ll likely continue to take a back seat to fellow running back Zack Moss as he shakes the rust off and gets back into playing shape. Backup Gardner Minshew will be the starter with Richardson sidelined. Once Richardson returns to the lineup, perhaps he and Taylor can lead the Colts to the playoffs this season. Richardson and Taylor could become the Colts best quarterback-running back combo since Hall of Famers Manning and Edgerrin James during the mid-2000s. Indy’s new duo will be fun to watch, running past defenders all season long. They just have to stay healthy.
Main Photo: Robert Scheer/IndyStar-USA TODAY NETWORK
