As they wait for more injury information on their star running back Jonathan Taylor, the Indianapolis
Colts and their supporters are holding their collective breath on Tuesday.
With a 6-5 record, the Colts are clinging to the seventh and last AFC playoff place when the news breaks.
Indianapolis had a three-game winning streak from Weeks 9–12 (with a bye in Week 11) to cap off a
three-game losing streak from Weeks 6–8.
Taylor regained the lead at the same time as he started to win.
The 24-year-old missed the opening four games of the season after being placed on the physically unable
to perform list in late August while he awaited a new contract. After being activated on October 7, Taylor
signed a three-year, $42 million contract deal with the team, and the following day he made his debut.
Weeks 5-8 saw the 2021 player Bowler and First-Team All-Pro splitting time in the backfield with fourth-
year player Zack Moss. However, in Week 9, Moss took over as the starting quarterback. In a 27-13
victory over the Carolina Panthers, Taylor had 23 touches for 69 yards and one touchdown on 45 snaps.
In contrast, Moss had just seven carries for 26 scoreless yards, was not targeted for the first time this
season, and played just 13 snaps.
Moss then had one rushing attempt and played a season-low nine snaps in Week 10 against the New
England Patriots, while Taylor posted season highs in carries (23) and offensive snaps (50). Despite the
Week 12 injury in Sunday’s win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Taylor doubled his season rushing
touchdown total from two to four and played 42 snaps, while Moss saw an increase in playing time with
10 touches for 70 yards on 30 snaps. (His most since Week 7.)
When Taylor is totally healthy, the Indianapolis offence is at its best, but even if the Wisconsin product
misses time, the Colts should still be in good condition.
Moss still leads the club in a number of statistics, including running attempts (141), rushing yards (672),
and rushing TDs (five), despite the recent reduction in offensive snaps.
After rookie signal-caller Anthony Richardson suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in October,
Indianapolis was able to replace him with veteran Gardner Minshew. With an 81.4 quarterback rating, a
63 completion % for 1,972 passing yards, eight touchdowns, seven interceptions, and a career-high three
running scores, the 2019 overall choice has gone 4-3 in seven starts this season.
On paper, the remaining schedule doesn’t seem all that difficult. The aggregate record of the Colts’ last
six opponents is 32-35. They travel to play the Tennessee Titans on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET; they have
already defeated this club in Week 5.