Jonathan Taylor back injury: Colts running back hits back after latest rumors

Colts running back Jonathan Taylor, who requested a trade, reported back pain during his pre-training physical that was deemed to stem from an injury that was not sustained while playing for Indianapolis, a league source told ESPN.

The situation now has the team considering placing Taylor on the non-football injury list, which could result in Indianapolis withholding his salary, the source said.

Taylor failed his physical, the source said, due to a combination of a previous ankle injury, for which surgery was performed earlier this year, and the back injury. The team’s medical staff had not previously discussed a back problem with Taylor, and the Colts were unaware of the problem until Taylor reported Tuesday, the source said.

The back problem is believed to stem from an old injury, but Taylor continues to complain of discomfort, according to the source.

On Sunday night, in a message posted on X, formerly Twitter, Taylor said she “never had back pain”.

1.) Never had a back pain.

2.) Never reported back pain.

Not sure who “sources” are, but find new ones 🤔

— Jonathan Taylor (@JayT23) July 31, 2023

All of this comes on the heels of a dramatic scene Saturday night when Taylor, who has been on the physically unable to perform list since being informed, met with Jim Irsay in the Colts owner’s luxury bus, parked next to the training field during the team’s evening practice.

Shortly after Taylor and Irsay left the hour-long meeting, news emerged that Taylor had requested a trade in a conversation with the team last week.

Taylor has been seeking a contract extension, but Irsay has said on multiple occasions that the team does not intend to sign him to an extension at this time. Irsay told ESPN last week that the club has not even made a contract offer to Taylor, the NFL’s leading rusher during the 2021 season.