Analysis

Taylor looked like himself on his modest amount of opportunities, averaging 8.6 yards per carry with a long run of 29 yards. He also finished with the Colts' second-highest receiving yardage total after being shut out altogether through the air in the Week 1 loss to the Texans. Joel A. Erickson of The Indianapolis Star confirms that the talented running back did not have any injury concerns early in the fourth quarter when he was substituted for Trey Sermon on a key drive, and Taylor's otherwise strong performance was only missing a bit more volume and a touchdown. He'll aim to rectify both matters when he tangles with the Bears defense at home in Week 3.

Analysis

The fifth-year player was the only Colts running back to get a touch in the game, and while QB Anthony Richardson led the team in rushing yards with 56, Taylor capped his day with a five-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. Taylor could be in line for a much bigger performance in Week 2 against a Packers defense that got gashed for 132 scrimmage yards and three TDs by Saquon Barkley in its opener.

Analysis

Taylor started the game but exited a few drives earlier than most of the other starters, allowing Tyler Goodson and Evan Hull to get some first-team reps. None of the other running backs in the organization are likely to do much besides spell Taylor when he needs a breather as long as the workhorse remains healthy. Even with more than two weeks to recover before the Sept. 8 regular-season opener against the Texans, the Colts understandably limited Taylor's workload in the preseason finale, as he's expected to regularly see 20-plus touches after averaging 19.8 combined rushing attempts and receptions per game over his previous four NFL regular seasons.

Analysis

After Taylor gets his anticipated reps Thursday, look for Tyler Goodson, Evan Hull, Zavier Scott and Demetric Felton to have an opportunity to make their cases for depth slotting in an Indy backfield that also includes Trey Sermon, who's been dealing with a hamstring issue. As the coming season approaches, Taylor is healthy and entrenched as his team's clear-cut lead back, a context that should result in a high-volume role in the team's Anthony Richardson-helmed offense.

Analysis

The same can be said for the rest of the Colts' starters and No. 2 quarterback Joe Flacco. With Taylor in street clothes Saturday, Trey Sermon (hamstring, if available), Tyler Goodson, Evan Hull, Zavier Scott and Demetric Felton will be the candidates to work out of Indianapolis' backfield. As for Taylor, he's coming off back-to-back injury-riddled campaigns in which he averaged 90.4 yards from scrimmage per game and scored 12 total touchdowns in 21 regular-season contests.

Analysis

Taylor played the first two drives alongside starting quarterback Anthony Richardson, but the Colts understandably didn't give the workhorse running back many touches. While Taylor may continue to sprinkle in some carries throughout the preseason, including Saturday against the Cardinals, the Colts have little reason to put significant tread on his tires during the exhibition slate considering Taylor has handled 925 carries over the past four regular seasons and is in line for another high-volume campaign in 2024.

Analysis

Taylor is likely to see the field for just a series or two, but it will give him an opportunity to play alongside starting QB Anthony Richardson after the pair logged just two snaps together last year. It could be interesting to see how lining up next to Richardson affects Taylor's opportunities, particularly at the goal line, as Richardson is an explosive runner who logged a 38 percent goal-line carry rate last year before getting injured Week 5. Taylor scored seven times on the ground and one time through the air over 10 regular-season contests in 2023.