Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor is off to a hot start. If he keeps it up, the former second-round pick could receive All-Pro honors this season.
Taylor is easily one of the NFL’s best running backs when healthy. He missed time due to injury the past two seasons. But thankfully, he has been healthy this year. The explosive Taylor remains Indy’s best offensive weapon. He’s currently seventh in the league with 261 rushing yards. He’s also averaging 5.1 yards per carry and has three rushing touchdowns. If he continues to avoid the injury bug, a monster season could be on the horizon.
Jonathan Taylor Primed for An All-Pro Season With the Colts
Looking Back at Jonathan Taylor’s Stellar 2021 Campaign
Taylor has been named an All-Pro once in his NFL career. He received that honor during the 2021 season. Taylor was nothing but spectacular that year. Playing all 17 games, he led the league in rushing yards (1,811) and rushing touchdowns (18). He finished the season more than 500 yards ahead of Nick Chubb, the league’s second-leading rusher.
The best performance of Taylor’s season came in Week 11 against the Buffalo Bills. He rushed for 185 yards and four touchdowns during the huge 41-15 victory. He also caught three passes for 19 yards and a touchdown.
Taylor was a unanimous All-Pro and Pro Bowler in 2021. He was also runner-up for Offensive Player of the Year, losing the award to Cooper Kupp. Taylor led the Colts to a winning 9-8 record. However, the team failed to make the playoffs after losing their final two regular season games.
Colts are Relying on Him This Year
Like Taylor, Anthony Richardson has managed to stay healthy. The Colts quarterback, of course, missed all but four games last season. Although he has played in all three games this year, Richardson has struggled as a passer thus far.
Due to Richardson’s struggles, the Colts have had to rely on Jonathan Taylor and the running game. Taylor had only 48 rushing yards in the Week 1 loss to the Houston Texans. Yet, he has had back-to-back 100-yard games after that, reaching 103 yards during the road loss to the Green Bay Packers and 110 yards and two touchdowns in the victory over the Chicago Bears. His 29-yard touchdown run was the highlight of his performance versus Chicago as the Colts picked up their first win.
Colts head coach Shane Steichen spoke about Taylor’s running via Joel A. Erickson of IndyStar.com.
“J.T. is running it really good right now,” Steichen said. “He’s seeing it well, he’s being patient, he’s hitting the holes. Obviously, hit the home run (against the Bears). … We showed it in the team meeting this morning. The way he was able to press, cut back behind it and then get front side again, it was big time.”
The 1-2 Colts will take on the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 4. Pittsburgh is 3-0 this year, mainly due to their incredible defense. The team is allowing only 71.3 rushing yards per game. With that said, Taylor will have his work cut out for him. The Colts need him to have a 2021 type of game to get a win.
Indianapolis is hoping this will be a bounce-back season for Taylor. Can the former Wisconsin Badger pick up another All-Pro honor and continue to lead the team as Richardson develops? Stay tuned.
Main Photo: Grace Hollars – USA Today Sports
