After missing most of his rookie season due to injury, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson could have an exciting comeback season in 2024. Richardson isn’t the only big-name player on the Colts roster, though, who could put together a major, bounce-back year. Star running back Jonathan Taylor is also a candidate to redeem himself.
Taylor missed seven games last season. If he can stay healthy in 2024, he could certainly return to MVP form and help lead Indianapolis to the playoffs.
The Indianapolis Colts’ Jonathan Taylor is Primed for a Monster, Bounce-Back Season
Jonathan Taylor’s Football Career
Jonathan Taylor had an amazing collegiate career with the Wisconsin Badgers. Impressively, he finished in the top 10 in Heisman voting all three seasons.
Taylor rushed for 1,977 yards and 13 touchdowns during his first year as he won Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors. He reached the 2,000-yard mark during his sophomore and junior seasons. The New Jersey native won the Doak Walker Award in both of those seasons.
After skipping his senior year, Taylor was selected by the Colts in the second round (41st overall pick) of the 2020 NFL Draft. He would instantly prove to be a huge draft steal. He had a great rookie year, rushing for 1,169 yards and 11 touchdowns. In Week 17 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, he produced a whopping 253 yards, breaking Edgerrin James‘ franchise record.
Jonathan Taylor was nothing short of spectacular in 2021. That season, he led the league in both rushing yards (1,811) and rushing touchdowns (18). The highlight of his year was a 185-yard, four-TD performance against the Buffalo Bills. He also put up 172 rushing yards versus the New York Jets. Taylor finished as the runner-up for AP Offensive Player of the Year.
Unfortunately, the injury bug took over. Taylor has missed a total of 13 games over the past two seasons. He failed to hit the 1,000-yard rushing mark in each of those seasons.
#Colts QB Anthony Richardson and Jonathan Taylor — two snaps together last season. Two. pic.twitter.com/fqHZMwbrml
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) May 22, 2024
Is an Epic Comeback Season on the Horizon?
Surprisingly, Jonathan Taylor is still a Colt. Last July, he requested a trade after the team wouldn’t engage in contract negotiations. There were a ton of rumors that he would be moved. Yet, Taylor, of course, was never traded. Instead, he ended up signing a three-year, $42 million extension in October. He got his money. Now it’s time for him to have an All-Pro caliber year.
Zack Moss did an excellent job as Taylor’s backup last year. However, he left and signed with the Cincinnati Bengals earlier this offseason.
With Moss out of the picture, Evan Hull, who’s coming off a meniscus injury, Trey Sermon, and Tyler Goodson will back up Jonathan Taylor. It will be difficult for each of them to replace what Moss brought to the table. That means the Colts need Taylor to stay healthy and produce.
Indianapolis had one of the league’s top offensive lines last season. Fortunately, all five starters are returning in 2024. With that said, Jonathan Taylor could absolutely have a monster, comeback season if he’s injury-free. Don’t look for him to repeat his 2021 campaign, but 11,000 yards and 11 touchdowns is realistic.
Main Photo: Jenna Watson/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK
