Report: Colts leaving Jonathan Taylor on PUP list to start regular season

The Indianapolis Colts are keeping star running back Jonathan Taylor on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list to start the regular season, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. As such, Taylor won’t be available until at least Week 5.

It’s also an indication that the Colts are not likely to trade Taylor any time in the near future as the running back has publicly clamored for a trade. Taylor is recovering from an ankle injury and surgery.

The Colts have made clear that any return for Taylor in a trade would require at least a first round draft pick or an equivalent amount of draft capital. While some teams have engaged, so far none have been serious suitors.

It’s also unclear how hurt Taylor is. He returned to training camp in mid-August before taking a leave of absence for a “personal matter” days later.

And now with Taylor on the PUP list to begin the year and sidelined, the trade market for the running back will likely cool until the season is well underway.

The Colts aren’t seemingly inclined to trade Taylor

Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay addressed the status of Taylor during the 24-17 preseason victory over the Chicago Bears Saturday amid the star running back’s ongoing contract dispute with the team.

Irsay, appearing on the broadcast, expressed his excitement for having Taylor back in the fold after he returned to the team Monday.

“We’re excited to have Jonathan Taylor back,” Irsay said, via Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. “I know these things are always difficult. I respect any time people are, they’re trying to fight for their position for their families and all those things. And, you know, l’ve been around it so long that I just think the biggest thing that I preach is timing is everything. We’re really looking forward to him to playing his way into being the Jonathan Taylor he was. And we’re really excited to have him and we want to do everything we can to support him and embrace him as a Colt, because he’s a great young man. I can’t say enough about him and his family.

“Look[,] you have these problems, you know how it is. You never go in with no problems at all. These days you hope you have less contractual problems because the way the CBA is and they work a lot of things through. But you have them and that’s what I know [general manager] Chris Ballard is going to work hard on and try to get the waters as calm as they can and go forward.”