Jonathan Taylor injury update: Latest news after Colts RB suffers thumb injury vs. Buccaneers

David Suggs

•
Jonathan Taylor injury update: Latest news after Colts RB suffers thumb injury vs. Buccaneers image

Jonathan Taylor had only just started to look like his old self after reaching the end zone not once but twice in the Colts' Week 12 victory over the Buccaneers on Sunday.

But according to reports, that win could have come at a cost.

Per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Taylor was injured against Tampa Bay and could miss time.

It did little to quell him impact in the moment; Taylor pranced down the terrain with vigor, racking up 91 yards on just 15 carries.

However, the ailment could have wider implications. Rapoport reported that Taylor's thumb malady puts his status going forward in doubt. If Taylor were to miss time, it would be a major blow to Shane Steichen's team, which has impressed as of late while placing itself firmly in playoff contention.

MORE: Zack Moss, Jalin Hyatt headline list of Week 13 fantasy steals 

Here's what you need to know about Taylor's latest battle scar, as well as what it could mean for Indianapolis going forward.

Jonathan Taylor injury update

Taylor's latest setback didn't hamper him in the moment. He slipped through the Buccaneers' surveillance time and time again, guiding the Colts to a momentous 27-20 win.

However, it seems Taylor will be out of action for 2-3 weeks as a result of his latest wound, Colts owner Jim Irsay revealed to The Athletic. He will undergo surgery to repair his thumb injury. 

Taylor has caught a serious case of the injury bug in the years since his breakout 2021, undergoing surgery to repair a pesky ankle concern that caused him to miss time last year. During the offseason, Indianapolis controversially placed him on the non-football injury list after he reportedly revealed to the team that he was having back pain during his physical. Taylor denied the claims, which were unveiled while Taylor's camp and the Colts were going back and forth trying to iron out a contract extension.

MORE: Patriots flirting with No. 1 overall pick in latest NFL Draft standings update

Ultimately, the extension was finalized and Taylor committed his immediate future to Nap Town. Returns haven't been so promising yet, but much of that is due to ill-health. Even then, he's still had flickers of excellence; Taylor pounded the rock for 95 yards on 12 carries against the Saints in Week 8, just his fourth game of the year.

His volume has steadily risen over the past few months. And he's formed quite the partnership with bruising tailback Zack Moss.

With Taylor on the mend, expect Moss to get some serious bump. That's not necessarily a bad thing. Moss is one of the league's most-skilled No. 2 RBs, sitting inside the top-10 in yardage despite absorbing 10 fewer carries than any of his top-10 contemporaries.

Colts RB depth chart

If Taylor were to miss any time, the likeliest names to receive increased bump on Indianapolis' roster are Moss and Trey Sermon, who sit second and third, respectively, on Indy's running back depth chart.

No. Player
1 Jonathan Taylor
2 Zack Moss
3 Trey Sermon

David Suggs

David Suggs Photo

David Suggs is a content producer at The Sporting News. A long-suffering Everton, Wizards and Commanders fan, he has learned to get used to losing over the years. In his free time, he enjoys skateboarding (poorly), listening to the likes of Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and D’Angelo, and penning short journal entries.