HEADLINES

Indianapolis Colts News & Rumors

Matt Ryan Still Open To NFL Gig, Discusses Falcons Divorce

August 10th, 2023 at 4:54pm CST by Ben Levine

Matt Ryan is currently preparing for his first season as an NFL broadcaster, but the long-time quarterback isn’t ready to officially retire from the league. In a conversation with Josh Kendall of The Athletic, Ryan acknowledged that he’s still leaving open the possibility of returning to the playing field.

[RELATED: Matt Ryan To Become Broadcaster; QB Open To Resuming Playing Career]

“I’m staying in shape,” Ryan said. “I think it is kind of, ‘You know my number. You know where I’m at.’ If anything were to come up, you know, we’ll see. (CBS) is where my focus is at right now. But we’ll see how the season shakes out.”

When Ryan revealed earlier this offseason that he was joining CBS as a studio and game analyst, he noted that the announcement wasn’t “a retirement post.” Ryan also stated after the season that he still viewed himself as being capable of playing at the NFL level. The quarterback was unceremoniously released by the Colts in March following a disappointing one-year stint with the organization. The 38-year-old is still due $12MM from the organization in 2023.

Ryan showed signs of age during the 2022 campaign, with his interception percentage (2.8) and yards-per-catch average (9.9) both establishing career-worst marks. However, the veteran also dealt with plenty of adversity during his only season outside of Atlanta, with the former MVP finding himself bouncing in and out of the starting lineup.

“It was one of those things, you know, I felt like I was going into it in a position where I’d probably seen it all in 14 years and then realize, ‘No you have not, you have not seen it all,’” Ryan said of his experience in Indianapolis. “There’s a lot of other things that are going to come up. It was a difficult year, there’s no doubt about it.”

Ryan enjoyed a 14-year stint with the Falcons, which included Offensive Rookie of the Year honors as well as a Super Bowl appearance. Ryan also opened up to Kendall about his Falcons divorce, acknowledging that it was a “s— show” but he “came out of it stronger and in a really good spot.”

“Things kind of escalated quickly within one week and the entire dynamic changed,” Ryan said of his eventual trade from Atlanta to Indy. “That part was hard, there’s no doubt about it because for 14 years every morning I woke up, I knew exactly what was expected of me. When that changes, that part was difficult, but you get thrust in through a new situation so quickly.”

Ryan clearly doesn’t hold any ill will towards his former organization. As Kendall writes, Ryan recently visited the Falcons’ training facility for the first time since he was traded, and he’s had dinner with Falcons owner Arthur Blank, as well.

“The biggest thing that I took away from that situation is I wasn’t going to let one bad week ruin 14 years of awesome, of really positive, great experiences,” Ryan said. “You also come to realize the business side of it. I understand that there are difficult decisions that need to be made and there’s a right or wrong way to do those kinds of things. Would I have liked some of it to be different? Yeah, but it wasn’t handled badly. It was just a situation that was difficult for all parties involved.”

Colts Sign Two Free Agents; RB Kareem Hunt Leaves Without Deal

August 9th, 2023 at 9:58pm CST by Ely Allen

The Colts made a few transactions today including the signings of running back Jason Huntley and tight end Ricky Seals-Jones, according to the team’s Twitter account. While the added depth is surely appreciated, it is likely a bit disappointing for Colts fans following the free agency activity surrounding running back Kareem Hunt.

Shortly after leaving New Orleans without a new contract, Indianapolis becomes the second straight visit that doesn’t result in a deal for the veteran rusher, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.

Hunt reportedly had a “great” visit with the Saints before making his way up to Indiana. The two locations he’s visited recently have situations that could allow for some early playing time. The Saints will be down a running back as Alvin Kamara serves a three-game suspension to start the year due to his role in a violent altercation a year and a half ago. New Orleans does still have a strong rusher at the top of the depth chart after signing Jamaal Williams this offseason, but the depth behind Williams is fairly inexperienced.

The Colts, on the other hand, may be getting a little desperate. Jonathan Taylor took his holdout to another level yesterday, leaving camp to rehabilitate his ankle injury. As backups Zack Moss and Deon Jackson are dealing with their own injuries, the Colts are currently relying only on recent signee Kenyan Drake and a trio of inexperienced options.

Hunt reportedly fielded offers from both teams with guaranteed money proving to be the main difference. While offering around the same amount that the Colts are expected to pay, the Saints’ deal includes more incentives that will make Hunt earn the money without guarantees.

Huntley and Seals-Jones appear to be depth signings to help Indianapolis make it through the preseason healthy. Huntley has only appeared in six games over his first three NFL seasons after getting drafted in the fifth round by the Eagles. He only has 18 rushes for 70 yards in his young career.

Seals-Jones likely has a better chance to push for a roster spot in 2023. Mo Alie-Cox and Jelani Woods are both dealing with injuries heading into the preseason, and Seals-Jones has some solid experience. Appearing in games for four teams over his five years in the league, Seals-Jones has seen spurts of success throughout his career. The converted college wide receiver saw career-highs in 2018 in receptions (34) and receiving yards (343) and caught four touchdowns the following year. Only two seasons ago, he started six games in Washington. He missed all of last season while dealing with a toe injury but could bring some quality starting experience for the Colts if healthy.

In order to make room on the roster for Huntley and Seals-Jones, the Colts waived/injured tight end La’Michael Pettway and safety Michael Tutsie.

Colts To Meet With RB Kareem Hunt

August 9th, 2023 at 3:40pm CST by Sam Robinson

AUGUST 9: Adding further to Russini’s report, Jeff Duncan of NOLA.com tweets that guaranteed money represented the difference in New Orleans’ and Indianapolis’ offers. The Saints backloaded their proposal with incentives, while keeping the total amount roughly on par with what the Colts are prepared to pay. With more money (and, potentially, playing time) available up front, it comes as little surprise that Hunt will at least consider a deal in Indianapolis.

AUGUST 8: Kareem Hunt‘s late-summer free agency tour will include a stop in Indianapolis. The Colts are set to meet with the former rushing champion Wednesday, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.

Although Hunt enjoyed a “great” Saints visit, he will make a trip to meet with a team that features a greater running back need. The Colts remain without Jonathan Taylor, have lost backup Zack Moss to a broken arm, and fellow reserve Deon Jackson is also dealing with an unspecified injury.

Just ahead of Hunt’s Saints workout, per ESPN’s Dianna Russini (on Twitter), the Colts contacted him with what is believed to be a better offer. It is unclear what Indianapolis is proposing, but the six-year veteran will meet with the team to determine a fit.

Indianapolis has already signed Kenyan Drake. Hunt would represent another veteran option for the suddenly RB-deficient outfit. While Hunt arrived as a Chiefs draft pick months after Chris Ballard had joined the Colts as GM, the latter was with Kansas City in the months leading up to the 2017 offseason.

Hunt, who turned 28 on Sunday, played out a two-year, $12MM Browns deal. The former Pro Bowler did not miss any games last season but did not enjoy a particularly productive campaign. This and the running back market’s myriad obstacles have impacted Hunt’s 2023 value. After teams expressed trade interest in the former third-round pick before last year’s deadline, Hunt now looms as an emergency depth option midway through training camp.

Operating again as Nick Chubb‘s backup, Hunt totaled just 678 scrimmage yards. He averaged a career-low 3.8 per carry. This came after the Cleveland-area native finished with a 4.9-yard average in 2021. Teams are determining how much tread Hunt has left on his tires. He has only logged 1,106 career touches — far less than fellow UFAs Ezekiel Elliott and Dalvin Cook — but he was less productive than either ex-NFCer in 2022.

The Colts have seen Jonathan Taylor request a trade and now leave camp for rehab purposes on a slow-healing ankle. Rumored to be using this ankle recovery as a hold-in excuse, Taylor has since left Colts camp to go through additional rehab more than six months after undergoing what was thought to be a minor surgery. The Colts will be without Moss until at least Week 1. While a Taylor trade is not expected, the Colts are digging into an insurance option.

A backfield housing Taylor, Hunt, Drake and Moss would seemingly be untenable for Indianapolis, which may factor into Hunt’s free agency decision — assuming he is weighing more than one offer. For now, however, the Colts are in need. At full strength, the Saints are also sporting a crowded RB corps. Alvin Kamara will be eligible to return in October, and the team signed Jamaal Williams and drafted Kendre Miller in Round 3.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/8/23

August 8th, 2023 at 8:28pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are Tuesday’s minor moves:

Carolina Panthers

Chicago Bears

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Los Angeles Chargers

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

New York Jets

Philadelphia Eagles

  • Signed: WR Johnny King
  • Waived: T Chim Okorafor
  • Activated from active/PUP list: WR Devon Allen

Pittsburgh Steelers

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

  • Waived/injured: CB Andrew Whitaker

Washington Commanders

Flowers, who agreed to terms with the Patriots earlier today after a workout, suffered a foot injury in October of last season. That setback cut short a Dolphins run after four games. Flowers, who will turn 30 next week, last played for the Patriots in 2018.

McNichols joined Duke Johnson, Brian Hill and Jason Huntley at a recent 49ers workout. The 49ers are without Elijah Mitchell for what is expected to be a short stretch. A five-year veteran, McNichols most recently saw action for the Titans in 2021, helping the team as a pass-catching back (28 grabs for 240 yards) while Derrick Henry missed time with a foot fracture.

Allen suffered an injury while competing in the opening rounds of the 110-meter hurdles competition at the USA Track and Field Championships in July. The two-time Olympian owns the sixth-fastest hurdle time this year (13.04 seconds) but missed a key chunk of Eagles camp. This marks his second bid to make Philadelphia’s 53-man roster. Allen, 28, spent last season on the Eagles’ practice squad and stayed with the team via a reserve/futures contract in February.

The Panthers’ regular kicker, Eddy Pineiro, is battling a groin injury. Carolina gave Pineiro, their 2022 kicker, $2.25MM guaranteed earlier this offseason. The Jaguars’ primary kicker in 2021, Wright kicked in four Steelers games and two Chiefs contests last season.

A rookie UDFA, Whittaker suffered a torn patellar tendon in a recent Seahawks practice, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson tweets. Matthews also sustained a season-ending injury — a torn ACL — during a Texans workout, Wilson adds (on Twitter).

Jonathan Taylor Leaves Colts Camp To Rehab Ankle Injury

August 8th, 2023 at 2:55pm CST by Sam Robinson

The latest development in this enduring Colts-Jonathan Taylor drama involves the running back’s attendance. Taylor was not with the Colts at their Tuesday practice, and ESPN.com’s Stephen Holder notes it was by design.

Residing on the Colts’ active/PUP list, Taylor has left the team facility to rehab his ankle at an unspecified offsite location. The team has been informed of Taylor’s plans to rehab offsite, and Holder adds the absence is expected to last several days. Taylor has not practiced with the Colts since last season and has expressed frustration about his contract to the point a trade request emerged.

Taylor’s trade request still stands, and while rumors about this PUP stay doubling as a hold-in effort have swirled during this turbulent period, it is interesting the fourth-year running back is still in need of rehab after undergoing surgery in January. The procedure on Taylor’s injured ankle was believed to be minimally invasive in nature. The Colts have cited Taylor’s 2022 injury, which caused him to miss six games, as a reason for tabling extension talks. Jim Irsay pronounced Taylor ready to go just before camp, but that has proven to be far from the case.

Rumblings about Taylor complaining of back and hamstring pain at camp led to a rumor the team was considering shifting him to the active/NFI list. Taylor has denied making such a complaint. A move from PUP to NFI would affect Taylor’s $4.3MM 2023 base salary (and potentially destroy this fractured relationship). As of last week, the Colts were not likely to make that designation switch. And Taylor needing ankle treatment would not allow for such a move, since this rehab effort pertains to an injury he suffered while playing in 2022.

Although rumors have circulated regarding trade interest in Taylor, this ankle issue would stand to diminish any market that may or may not be forming. The running back position has sustained steady blows this year, and even while residing as one of the position’s young aces, Taylor not being ready six-plus months after a minor surgery likely will keep him in Indianapolis. Irsay has already indicated no trade is coming, and the ankle problem will make it unlikely a worthwhile offer comes Indy’s way.

Already down backup Zack Moss due to a broken arm and Deon Jackson due to an unspecified injury, the Colts signed Kenyan Drake late last week. Drake, who worked out for the team, is going into his age-29 season. Drake signed a one-year deal worth $1.17MM, per KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson, who adds the pact comes with $153K guaranteed.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/5/23

August 5th, 2023 at 8:01pm CST by Adam La Rose

Saturday’s minor moves:

Carolina Panthers

Chicago Bears

Cleveland Browns

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Indianapolis Colts 

Los Angeles Rams

Minnesota Vikings

New Orleans Saints

Signed: WR Jontre Kirklin

New York Jets

San Francisco 49ers

Washington Commanders

The Browns waived receiver Daylen Baldwin yesterday, and more details on his situation have emerged today courtesy of NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero (Twitter link). Baldwin tore a tendon behind his knee, and he will undergo surgery as a result. After his recovery (which is expected to take roughly six to eight weeks), Pelissero notes that a return is the Browns’ preference.

Vigil will add considerable experience to the middle of the Jets’ defense. The 29-year-old has started 53 of his 89 career games, though he has not operated as a full-time starter in recent years as he once did. Vigil spent the 2022 season in Arizona, where he was limited to only eight games played and logged a defensive snap share of 35%. Both Vigil and Eguavoen worked out with the Giants last month, but they will instead head to New York’s other franchise for the 2023 season.

Kirklin played four games with the XFL’s Houston Roughnecks, and he scored four touchdowns in the process. He will look to carry over that production at the NFL level as part of a Saints receiving corps which has plenty of uncertainty amongst its depth options.

Whittaker spent the past three seasons in Arizona, coming on and off the Cardinals’ practice squad a number of times. He was a key member of the team’s secondary last year, however, starting four of his six games played and logging a snap share of 74%. The 28-year-old will compete for a depth role behind the established starters at the CB spot in Washington.

Colts To Sign RB Kenyan Drake

August 4th, 2023 at 3:56pm CST by Sam Robinson

Kenyan Drake‘s Colts workout will lead to a signing. The veteran running back agreed to terms with the team Friday, according to his agency (Twitter link).

Indianapolis auditioned Drake, Devine Ozigbo and Benny Snell on Wednesday. Of that trio, Drake brought by far the most experience and production. The former Dolphins, Cardinals, Raiders and Ravens running back will have another opportunity — for a team dealing with some big-picture issues at the position.

Jonathan Taylor‘s stay on the active/PUP list continues, and Zack Moss suffered a broken arm earlier this week. Taylor’s top backup, Moss is expected to be out approximately six weeks. Drake, 29, will step in and play a key role for the retooling team. The former third-round pick spent last season in Baltimore, serving as insurance for a team that had seen injuries derail its backfield plan. Injuries are technically limiting the Colts right now, but Taylor’s situation is obviously far more complex.

Although Drake has been with four teams over the past four seasons, he has enjoyed quality spurts. The Alabama product averaged 5.2 yards per carry in his 2019 Cardinals games, following a midseason trade with the Dolphins, and the team transition-tagged him in 2020. The then-Kliff Kingsbury-led team used Drake as its top back that year, and he finished with a career-high 10 touchdowns. Drake totaled more than 1,000 scrimmage yards in 2019 and ’20, and the Raiders — despite having drafted Josh Jacobs in the 2019 first round — gave him a two-year, $11MM deal in 2021.

Jon Gruden‘s vision of Drake serving as a dynamic pass-catching back alongside Jacobs did not entirely come to fruition, with Drake totaling just 291 receiving yards. The Josh McDaniels-led Raiders released Drake last summer, after trade talks did not progress, leading to the Ravens commitment. With J.K. Dobbins returning to IR and Gus Edwards not coming off the reserve/PUP list until midseason, Drake provided some notable fill-in work. Headlined by a 119-yard game against the Giants and a 93-yard rushing performance against the Saints, Drake finished with 482 rushing yards (4.4 per carry) and made some key contributions to the playoff-bound team’s cause while its top backfield cogs battled injuries. But the Ravens have a more stable situation now, with Melvin Gordon also involved.

The Colts’ situation: far from stable. Taylor has gone from being labeled as ready to go for camp by Jim Irsay to requesting a trade. The former All-Pro, who is coming off a minimally invasive January ankle surgery, is dissatisfied with his contract — during a bleak offseason for the running back position — and is likely staging a hold-in. Irsay has indicated the Colts will not trade Taylor, but as his time on the sidelines continues, this topic may not be entirely out of bounds.

For now, Drake will step in as a veteran presence atop — Taylor excluded — an inexperienced depth chart. Deon Jackson, ex-Rams UDFA Jake Funk and fifth-round rookie Evan Hull entered Friday as the Colts’ top available backs.

Saints’ Alvin Kamara, Colts’ Chris Lammons Issued Three-Game Suspensions

August 4th, 2023 at 1:34pm CST by Adam La Rose

Not long after Alvin Kamara‘s sit-down with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, his disciplinary situation has been clarified. Kamara has been suspended three games for his role in a violent altercation dating back to February 2022 (Twitter link via ESPN’s Adam Schefter).

Kamara and Colts cornerback Chris Lammons were involved in an incident which initially resulted in criminal charges being filed. The latter will also be banned for the opening three games of the season, reports Tom Pelissero of NFL Network (Twitter link). Kamara and Lammons are not planning to appeal, Mark Maske of the Washington Post tweets, concluding this matter 18 months after the incident occurred.

Both players were indicted by a grand jury on felony charges in March, but they reached a settlement with the victim last month. Part of that process included pleading no contest to a misdemeanor, something which brought clarity to his legal status and thus paved the way for the league’s decision on the matter to be made. Kamara was initially feared to be facing a six-game suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy last season, but delays in court proceedings pushed his case into 2023.

Earlier this week, the 28-year-old met with Goodell to discuss potential punishments. It comes as little surprise that news of the suspension has quickly followed that summit. Kamara will miss games against the Titans, Panthers and Packers as a result of this action. He will be eligible to return to the lineup in Week 4, when the Saints play the Buccaneers.

When speaking to the media earlier today, Kamara repeated his remorse regarding the situation while indicating he was unsure how the league would proceed with respect to supplemental discipline. Now, his fate has been determined and New Orleans can move forward with the other members of its backfield, one which illustrates the team’s awareness a Kamara absence was likely.

The Saints signed veteran Jamaal Williams to a three-year deal in free agency, giving them an experienced backfield presence even without Kamara being available to start the season. New Orleans also selected Kendre Miller in the third round of this year’s draft to give them further insurance. Williams and Miller will carry the load during the first three weeks of the campaign, but Kamara will still be a focal point of the team’s offense upon return.

The former first-rounder failed to earn a Pro Bowl nod for the first time in his six-year career in 2022. Still, he managed to eclipse 1,300 scrimmage yards, something he has done every year in the NFL. Kamara will be hard-pressed to replicate that success with the missed time, but the Saints appear to be well-equipped to handle his short-term absence.

Lammons, meanwhile, signed in Indianapolis recently amidst the uncertainty surrounding his status. His ban will delay his Colts debut, but the team has a limited number of experienced corners especially in the wake of Isaiah Rodgers being suspended for the season and subsequently let go. A veteran of 42 games with the Chiefs, Lammons could see signficant playing time upon reinstatement.

Michael Pittman Jr. Seeking Colts Extension

August 3rd, 2023 at 1:56pm CST by Sam Robinson

Michael Pittman Jr. has a long way to go to catch Jonathan Taylor for contract-related drama, but the Colts’ No. 1 wide receiver resides in the same boat. Both were second-round picks in 2020, putting each in a contract year.

While Taylor has expressed extreme dissatisfaction with how the organization has proceeded regarding his return from an ankle injury and its approach to his contract extension, Pittman may still be the team’s top extension candidate. The fourth-year vet expressed interest in a Colts extension, Mike Chappell of Fox 59 notes.

The Colts have rewarded a host of contract-year players under GM Chris Ballard. Quenton Nelson, Braden Smith and Ryan Kelly signed big-ticket re-ups ahead of their walk years. Ditto Shaquille Leonard, with Nyheim Hines also re-signing in his fourth NFL offseason. Like Leonard and Smith, Taylor and Pittman are ex-Day 2 selections. No fifth-year options exist in their contracts.

But the Colts are in a different place compared to recent offseasons. They are coming off a 4-13 season and have hired a new HC (Shane Steichen). As they may want to see how Pittman and Taylor look in Steichen’s system, Chappell adds the team should not be expected to hand out deals to the contract-year skill-position players before this season.

Taylor has obviously outperformed Pittman, but the latter plays a more valuable position in the modern game. Pittman, 25, took over for T.Y. Hilton as the Colts’ top target early in his career and has a 1,000-yard season on his resume. The 6-foot-4 wide receiver totaled a career-high 1,082 yards during Carson Wentz‘s season at the helm and finished last year with 925 during a season in which the Colts saw their QB plan crater. Three passers (Matt Ryan, Sam Ehlinger, Nick Foles) started games for the 2022 Colts, and with Taylor out for six games and the team’s O-line not performing on the level it did in recent years, Pittman was not exactly set up for success.

The second-generation pro will have an opportunity to bounce back, but the prospect of Anthony Richardson being the Week 1 starter could work against Pittman’s hopes at a second 1,000-yard season. The Colts will be eager to trot out the raw rookie, though that might not be ideal for Pittman’s contract year. Still, Taylor will bring a much cheaper franchise tag in 2024. This would leave Pittman, 25, as the team’s clear-cut top extension candidate.

Teams’ extension decisions in 2022 — for the likes of A.J. Brown, Terry McLaurin, Deebo Samuel, D.K. Metcalf and Diontae Johnson — left the 2023 free agent market thin at receiver. As of August, Pittman joins Mike Evans, Tee Higgins, Tyler Boyd and Marquise Brown as the top wideouts eligible for unrestricted free agency in 2024.

Colts Not Dismissing Jonathan Taylor Trade

August 3rd, 2023 at 10:58am CST by Sam Robinson

The Colts-Jonathan Taylor impasse has showed no signs of ending, as the second week of a training camp observational period begins for the talented running back. Jim Irsay has indicated the Colts will not honor Taylor’s trade request, but this escalating situation might be moving the team toward at least considering a deal.

Trading Taylor is a subject that has not been completely shut down at Colts headquarters, Stephen Holder of ESPN.com reports, adding multiple NFL execs believe a trade market exists for the 24-year-old back. Going into his fourth season, Taylor is a more attractive commodity compared to the lot of late-20-somethings on the free agent market.

A team that acquires Taylor could attempt to slow-play this, as the Colts are doing by indicating no extension offer is coming soon, with a 2024 franchise tag available. But it should be considered likely a team that acquires the contract-year back would have a contract ready to go. Multiple teams are believed to be open to a trade-and-extend scenario involving the former rushing champion.

Indianapolis’ goal remains to retain Taylor, Jeff Howe of The Athletic writes, and have him back in his starting role to begin the Anthony Richardson era (subscription required). As this offseason has shown, running back leverage has cratered. Midlevel free agent contracts, cap-casualty decisions, pay cuts and a franchise tag deadline coming and going without an extension has turned this into a crisis point for the position. Derrick Henry has initiated talks among backs about their position’s standing, per TitanInsider.com’s Terry McCormick, and Taylor voiced frustration after the tag deadline hit without Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs or Tony Pollard landing a deal.

A host of anonymous executives informed Howe a trade should not be considered likely, due to the cost of a second contract and the supply-and-demand issue plaguing the position. While Dalvin Cook and Ezekiel Elliott were listed by two such execs as cheaper options, Taylor would represent a higher class of player at this stage of his career. The Colts RB has 860 career touches; Cook and Elliott are at 1,503 and 2,186, respectively. A team could view Taylor as a much better asset and pull off a trade, and an extension — despite the carnage on the RB market this year — could line up well as the salary cap booms. That said, no team has even authorized a $12MM-per-year RB deal since the Browns paid Nick Chubb in July 2021. Due to his age and the cap rise, Taylor could logically be targeting the Christian McCaffrey–Alvin Kamara bracket, but no team has signed off on a $14MM-AAV deal for a back since the Saints inked Kamara in August 2020.

The Colts, particularly Irsay and GM Chris Ballard, have been surprised by Taylor’s attitude at camp, per Holder. Taylor hired a new agent this offseason and has not only become frustrated by his contract situation, but Holder adds the Colts’ approach to injury management has irked the Wisconsin alum. Taylor underwent arthroscopic ankle surgery in January, and the procedure was not expected to keep him out too long. Irsay pronounced him as ready to roll for camp. But Holder adds the Colts wanted Taylor to return to Indianapolis shortly before camp. This request did not go over well with Taylor, who interpreted it as a team push to return to action before he was 100%.

Taylor played hurt during last year’s miserable Colts campaign, finishing the season despite needing ankle surgery. Holder echoes the Sunday report regarding Taylor complaining of back and hamstring pain when coming to camp. Taylor has denied he notified the Colts of back pain, a subject that led to the rumor the Colts could shift him from the PUP list to the NFI list — a matter that could affect Taylor’s salary. That rumor only further intensified this situation, though Holder adds the PUP-to-NFI shift is unlikely.

Still, Taylor remains out of action. It is unclear if the ankle injury sustained in October 2022 is truly keeping him off the field or if this is a hold-in measure. The Colts, who have also lost Zack Moss to a broken arm, worked out Kenyan Drake on Wednesday.

It will be interesting to see if any viable trade offers come in for Taylor, who is set to be part of a big free agency class — one that, as of now, would include Barkley, Jacobs, Pollard, Henry, Austin Ekeler, J.K. Dobbins, AJ Dillon. We are still far away from that point, but it represents another factor that would work against him leaving Indianapolis via a 2023 trade.

Load More Posts