Jonathan Taylor would possibly or won’t play games for the Colts in 2023. The big name operating again is looking for a business time unsatisfied in regards to the crew’s trauma control and refusal to barter a long-term oath. And there’s something that might quietly be enjoying a consider each Taylor’s scientific and contractual trajectory: the Professional Bowler’s large school workload.
The Colts haven’t stated this, and neither has Taylor’s camp accused them of doing so. In reality, without reference to put on and tear, this NFL offseason has confirmed that operating backs around the board are merely much less valued than ever sooner than. Whether or not pristine off a profession 12 months — just like the Raiders’ 25-year-old Josh Jacobs — or pristine off 4 directly 1,100-yard seasons — just like the Jets’ 28-year-old Dalvin Prepare dinner — all RBs have did not carry their marketplace as groups increasingly more reallocate govern buck to the passing recreation and its many parts.
However believe what Titans big name Derrick Henry, one of the vital absolute best paid on the spot, stated this offseason: You’ll be able to run for two,000 yards, however the truth of as of late’s NFL, the place freshness and dynamism is vital, is that decision-makers will probably be extra focused on what number of carries it took to get there. Now get this: Despite the fact that the supersized Henry is frequently thought to be an old-school workhorse, wearing the Titans with an yearly high-volume position, Taylor has obviously outpaced Henry in touches because the former started his school profession.
At 29, coming into Future 8 within the NFL, Henry clearly has taken a larger toll over the while of his personal profession. However relationship again to Taylor’s freshman 12 months at Wisconsin in 2017, the Colts again has racked up 1,828 touches in 84 video games between the NCAA and NFL, eclipsing Henry’s 1,754 touches in his 87 NFL video games over the similar span. Handiest two energetic NFL RBs have logged extra blended school carries than Taylor within the latter two decades, in step with Sports activities Reference — they’re fringe backups Myles Gaskin and Royce Freeman.
None of this diminishes what Taylor’s completed within the NFL, or what he may nonetheless do at simply 24, two years got rid of from an 1,800-yard, 18-touchdown speeding season that led the league. However large utilization can ruthless accidents, which hindered Taylor in 2022 and feature performed a component in his summer-long absence from the Colts’ follow garden. 3 years in the past, sooner than Indy spent a second-round pick out at the former Badgers big name, right here had been the govern two considerations on his NFL Media scouting record: 1.) “Tallied over 300 touches in all three years” at school, and a pair of.) “Wear and tear could be a concern.” 3 years after, right here we’re.
Consequently, it’s no longer withered to peer why Indy may well be unclear to dedicate profitable long-term cash to Taylor, and thus why the 2 aspects might be vaulting towards a untimely breakup. Proficient and instrumental as he is also — particularly to the 2023 Colts, who’re turning to a rookie quarterback in Anthony Richardson — Taylor performs a place that’s increasingly more confirmed extra replaceable than others. And no longer most effective that, however the tread on his tires has already been used greater than maximum. It’s a chilly research of a top class participant at a place the place groups are extra susceptible to “using” and discarding starters, however in a forward-thinking league, it should be thought to be.
