Colts RB Jonathan Taylor Faces Likely Trade Before Tuesday Deadline
The Indianapolis Colts lost to Dallas on Sunday, and the team's rushing leader admitted his tenure in the city may be ending within two days.
By Jonathan Ramirez ·
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor acknowledged on Sunday that his six and a half years with the franchise may conclude as soon as Tuesday. The NFL trade deadline arrives this week, and team officials are weighing moves involving Taylor and quarterback Daniel Jones.
The Colts fell to the Dallas Cowboys, 27-23, at Lucas Oil Stadium. The loss marked the team's fifth straight defeat, bringing their record to 2-7. Taylor rushed for 46 yards on 13 carries and added 18 receiving yards on five catches. He failed to score a touchdown and lost a fumble in the fourth quarter that halted a key scoring drive.
The game ended on a dramatic note for the visitors. The Colts erased a 10-point deficit to lead 23-20 with 1:37 remaining. Dallas responded immediately when Javonte Williams scored on a one-yard run. Cowboys safety Caleb Downs then intercepted Jones with 35 seconds left to seal the victory.
Taylor stated that Indianapolis helped shape him as a man and as a family member. He said, "This place helped shape me into the man I am today. I’m very grateful for the city of Indianapolis." Head coach Shane Steichen defended his roster's stability despite the speculation. Steichen said, "I’m not going to get into any trade speculation. He’s on our football team."
Jones also faces uncertainty after a volatile start to his second season. He completed 20 of 34 passes for 180 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception on Sunday. He was benched in last week's 42-7 loss at Jacksonville. Jones noted that players must focus on the game in front of them despite the surrounding noise.
Wide receiver Josh Downs, who played against his brother Caleb in Sunday's game, has already requested a trade. Downs caught three passes for 24 yards. He said, "I’m open to whatever. If they want me to stay here, I’ll be here." Taylor contrasted his own stance by noting that the decision is now out of his hands. He added, "The hay is in the barn. We just play the waiting game now."
The Colts have already traded other players to collect draft picks and clear salary cap space for 2027. The team hosts the Miami Dolphins next week. Taylor has played only for Indianapolis during his NFL career.
