30 September 2023 , 11:19
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Indianapolis Colts running backs coach DeAndre Smith has hinted that Jonathan Taylor could return to practice soon after admitting he cannot wait to work with the All-Pro player.
Taylor, 24, has spent the first four weeks of the regular season on the physically unable-to-perform list. The Pro Bowler continues rehabilitating a right ankle injury after season-ending surgery.
Those recovery sessions take place at the Colts' practice facility every morning. Footage from those shared by the player on social media shows the running back going through position drills, evidencing the increasing intensity of the workouts.
That has caught the attention of his position coach, Smith. After arriving from the New York Giants over the offseason, the long-time college football coach has yet to work with Taylor out on the field.
“He looks great," Smith admitted to ESPN. "And I can’t wait to actually physically get a chance to work with him, see him move around, see that speed, and feel that speed.
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“He bounces a run, and it might go for 60 [yards],” Smith continued. “That’s what you need, those chunk plays. When [Colts running back] Zack [Moss] gets off a 20-plus yard run, those things are huge. So, if you get a guy who might be able to double that, it just makes the offense more explosive.”
Smith added: “He’s a big dude (5ft 10in, 226lbs), and he’s lean, so, he’s a good-looking football player… And I love the lateral movement. Hopefully, I’ll get a chance [to work with him] here real soon.”
It remains to be seen how soon Taylor will return to practice (AP)However, whether Smith will get his wish of working with Taylor remains unclear. His trade request made when reporting to training camp remains outstanding.
The team declined to acquiesce to those demands before belatedly engaging with the Green Bay Packers and Miami Dolphins. However, no deal was done before the final roster cutdown last month, meaning Taylor stayed in Indy.
Their contract standoff, which led to the player asking for a trade, is similarly no nearer a resolution. The running back is in his fourth and final year of the rookie-scale contract signed after going 41st overall in the 2020 NFL Draft.
However, all hope is not lost. Colts general manager Chris Ballard said as much when last addressing the situation a month ago. “I’m not going to sit here and give you some rosy picture,” he said. “It sucks for the Colts. It sucks for Jonathan Taylor. And it sucks for our fans. It just does.
"It’s where we’re at, and we’ve got to work through it, and we’re going to do everything we can to work through it. Relationships are repairable.”
Earlier in the offseason, Taylor explained his stance. “You see why guys request trades. They just want to feel valued by not only their coaches, their teammates, but the organization as well. We definitely have approached [the contract]. Hopefully, [the Colts] can see the value.”