INDIANAPOLIS — Colts All-Pro running back Jonathan Taylor will miss the first game of his college or professional career after being ruled out for Thursday night’s road contest against the Denver Broncos.
Taylor suffered a severe ankle twist late in the Colts’ 24-17 loss to the Tennessee Titans on Sunday and did not return to the game. He had undergone constant rehab since with the aim of returning on Thursday night, even suggesting on Tuesday that a decision on his availability could come shortly before kick-off.
But, in the end, the third-year running back couldn’t overcome the injury.
“I definitely plan to play, but if you can’t go, you can’t go,” Taylor said Tuesday. “That’s why you need to get as many treatments as possible.”
The Colts are struggling to generate a consistent running game even with Taylor in the lineup, so his absence won’t help matters. The Colts enter Week 5 ranked 27th in rushing yards per game (87.8) and rush (3.5), a far cry from last season, when Taylor was the NFL’s top rusher with 1,811 yards. and that the Colts led the league in rushing.
The Colts will rely on a combination of No. 2 running back Nyheim Hines, Deon Jackson and former Broncos star Phillip Lindsay, who is on their practice squad.
The Colts also ruled out linebacker Shaquille Leonard and defensive lineman Tyquan Lewis with concussions and safety Julian Blackmon with an ankle injury.