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Jonathan Taylor Leaves Colts Camp To Rehab Ankle Injury

August 8th, 2023 at 2:55pm CST by Sam Robinson

The latest development in this enduring Colts-Jonathan Taylor drama involves the running back’s attendance. Taylor was not with the Colts at their Tuesday practice, and ESPN.com’s Stephen Holder notes it was by design.

Residing on the Colts’ active/PUP list, Taylor has left the team facility to rehab his ankle at an unspecified offsite location. The team has been informed of Taylor’s plans to rehab offsite, and Holder adds the absence is expected to last several days. Taylor has not practiced with the Colts since last season and has expressed frustration about his contract to the point a trade request emerged.

Taylor’s trade request still stands, and while rumors about this PUP stay doubling as a hold-in effort have swirled during this turbulent period, it is interesting the fourth-year running back is still in need of rehab after undergoing surgery in January. The procedure on Taylor’s injured ankle was believed to be minimally invasive in nature. The Colts have cited Taylor’s 2022 injury, which caused him to miss six games, as a reason for tabling extension talks. Jim Irsay pronounced Taylor ready to go just before camp, but that has proven to be far from the case.

Rumblings about Taylor complaining of back and hamstring pain at camp led to a rumor the team was considering shifting him to the active/NFI list. Taylor has denied making such a complaint. A move from PUP to NFI would affect Taylor’s $4.3MM 2023 base salary (and potentially destroy this fractured relationship). As of last week, the Colts were not likely to make that designation switch. And Taylor needing ankle treatment would not allow for such a move, since this rehab effort pertains to an injury he suffered while playing in 2022.

Although rumors have circulated regarding trade interest in Taylor, this ankle issue would stand to diminish any market that may or may not be forming. The running back position has sustained steady blows this year, and even while residing as one of the position’s young aces, Taylor not being ready six-plus months after a minor surgery likely will keep him in Indianapolis. Irsay has already indicated no trade is coming, and the ankle problem will make it unlikely a worthwhile offer comes Indy’s way.

Already down backup Zack Moss due to a broken arm and Deon Jackson due to an unspecified injury, the Colts signed Kenyan Drake late last week. Drake, who worked out for the team, is going into his age-29 season. Drake signed a one-year deal worth $1.17MM, per KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson, who adds the pact comes with $153K guaranteed.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/5/23

August 5th, 2023 at 8:01pm CST by Adam La Rose

Saturday’s minor moves:

Carolina Panthers

Chicago Bears

Cleveland Browns

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Indianapolis Colts 

Los Angeles Rams

Minnesota Vikings

New Orleans Saints

Signed: WR Jontre Kirklin

New York Jets

San Francisco 49ers

Washington Commanders

The Browns waived receiver Daylen Baldwin yesterday, and more details on his situation have emerged today courtesy of NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero (Twitter link). Baldwin tore a tendon behind his knee, and he will undergo surgery as a result. After his recovery (which is expected to take roughly six to eight weeks), Pelissero notes that a return is the Browns’ preference.

Vigil will add considerable experience to the middle of the Jets’ defense. The 29-year-old has started 53 of his 89 career games, though he has not operated as a full-time starter in recent years as he once did. Vigil spent the 2022 season in Arizona, where he was limited to only eight games played and logged a defensive snap share of 35%. Both Vigil and Eguavoen worked out with the Giants last month, but they will instead head to New York’s other franchise for the 2023 season.

Kirklin played four games with the XFL’s Houston Roughnecks, and he scored four touchdowns in the process. He will look to carry over that production at the NFL level as part of a Saints receiving corps which has plenty of uncertainty amongst its depth options.

Whittaker spent the past three seasons in Arizona, coming on and off the Cardinals’ practice squad a number of times. He was a key member of the team’s secondary last year, however, starting four of his six games played and logging a snap share of 74%. The 28-year-old will compete for a depth role behind the established starters at the CB spot in Washington.

Colts To Sign RB Kenyan Drake

August 4th, 2023 at 3:56pm CST by Sam Robinson

Kenyan Drake‘s Colts workout will lead to a signing. The veteran running back agreed to terms with the team Friday, according to his agency (Twitter link).

Indianapolis auditioned Drake, Devine Ozigbo and Benny Snell on Wednesday. Of that trio, Drake brought by far the most experience and production. The former Dolphins, Cardinals, Raiders and Ravens running back will have another opportunity — for a team dealing with some big-picture issues at the position.

Jonathan Taylor‘s stay on the active/PUP list continues, and Zack Moss suffered a broken arm earlier this week. Taylor’s top backup, Moss is expected to be out approximately six weeks. Drake, 29, will step in and play a key role for the retooling team. The former third-round pick spent last season in Baltimore, serving as insurance for a team that had seen injuries derail its backfield plan. Injuries are technically limiting the Colts right now, but Taylor’s situation is obviously far more complex.

Although Drake has been with four teams over the past four seasons, he has enjoyed quality spurts. The Alabama product averaged 5.2 yards per carry in his 2019 Cardinals games, following a midseason trade with the Dolphins, and the team transition-tagged him in 2020. The then-Kliff Kingsbury-led team used Drake as its top back that year, and he finished with a career-high 10 touchdowns. Drake totaled more than 1,000 scrimmage yards in 2019 and ’20, and the Raiders — despite having drafted Josh Jacobs in the 2019 first round — gave him a two-year, $11MM deal in 2021.

Jon Gruden‘s vision of Drake serving as a dynamic pass-catching back alongside Jacobs did not entirely come to fruition, with Drake totaling just 291 receiving yards. The Josh McDaniels-led Raiders released Drake last summer, after trade talks did not progress, leading to the Ravens commitment. With J.K. Dobbins returning to IR and Gus Edwards not coming off the reserve/PUP list until midseason, Drake provided some notable fill-in work. Headlined by a 119-yard game against the Giants and a 93-yard rushing performance against the Saints, Drake finished with 482 rushing yards (4.4 per carry) and made some key contributions to the playoff-bound team’s cause while its top backfield cogs battled injuries. But the Ravens have a more stable situation now, with Melvin Gordon also involved.

The Colts’ situation: far from stable. Taylor has gone from being labeled as ready to go for camp by Jim Irsay to requesting a trade. The former All-Pro, who is coming off a minimally invasive January ankle surgery, is dissatisfied with his contract — during a bleak offseason for the running back position — and is likely staging a hold-in. Irsay has indicated the Colts will not trade Taylor, but as his time on the sidelines continues, this topic may not be entirely out of bounds.

For now, Drake will step in as a veteran presence atop — Taylor excluded — an inexperienced depth chart. Deon Jackson, ex-Rams UDFA Jake Funk and fifth-round rookie Evan Hull entered Friday as the Colts’ top available backs.

Saints’ Alvin Kamara, Colts’ Chris Lammons Issued Three-Game Suspensions

August 4th, 2023 at 1:34pm CST by Adam La Rose

Not long after Alvin Kamara‘s sit-down with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, his disciplinary situation has been clarified. Kamara has been suspended three games for his role in a violent altercation dating back to February 2022 (Twitter link via ESPN’s Adam Schefter).

Kamara and Colts cornerback Chris Lammons were involved in an incident which initially resulted in criminal charges being filed. The latter will also be banned for the opening three games of the season, reports Tom Pelissero of NFL Network (Twitter link). Kamara and Lammons are not planning to appeal, Mark Maske of the Washington Post tweets, concluding this matter 18 months after the incident occurred.

Both players were indicted by a grand jury on felony charges in March, but they reached a settlement with the victim last month. Part of that process included pleading no contest to a misdemeanor, something which brought clarity to his legal status and thus paved the way for the league’s decision on the matter to be made. Kamara was initially feared to be facing a six-game suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy last season, but delays in court proceedings pushed his case into 2023.

Earlier this week, the 28-year-old met with Goodell to discuss potential punishments. It comes as little surprise that news of the suspension has quickly followed that summit. Kamara will miss games against the Titans, Panthers and Packers as a result of this action. He will be eligible to return to the lineup in Week 4, when the Saints play the Buccaneers.

When speaking to the media earlier today, Kamara repeated his remorse regarding the situation while indicating he was unsure how the league would proceed with respect to supplemental discipline. Now, his fate has been determined and New Orleans can move forward with the other members of its backfield, one which illustrates the team’s awareness a Kamara absence was likely.

The Saints signed veteran Jamaal Williams to a three-year deal in free agency, giving them an experienced backfield presence even without Kamara being available to start the season. New Orleans also selected Kendre Miller in the third round of this year’s draft to give them further insurance. Williams and Miller will carry the load during the first three weeks of the campaign, but Kamara will still be a focal point of the team’s offense upon return.

The former first-rounder failed to earn a Pro Bowl nod for the first time in his six-year career in 2022. Still, he managed to eclipse 1,300 scrimmage yards, something he has done every year in the NFL. Kamara will be hard-pressed to replicate that success with the missed time, but the Saints appear to be well-equipped to handle his short-term absence.

Lammons, meanwhile, signed in Indianapolis recently amidst the uncertainty surrounding his status. His ban will delay his Colts debut, but the team has a limited number of experienced corners especially in the wake of Isaiah Rodgers being suspended for the season and subsequently let go. A veteran of 42 games with the Chiefs, Lammons could see signficant playing time upon reinstatement.

Michael Pittman Jr. Seeking Colts Extension

August 3rd, 2023 at 1:56pm CST by Sam Robinson

Michael Pittman Jr. has a long way to go to catch Jonathan Taylor for contract-related drama, but the Colts’ No. 1 wide receiver resides in the same boat. Both were second-round picks in 2020, putting each in a contract year.

While Taylor has expressed extreme dissatisfaction with how the organization has proceeded regarding his return from an ankle injury and its approach to his contract extension, Pittman may still be the team’s top extension candidate. The fourth-year vet expressed interest in a Colts extension, Mike Chappell of Fox 59 notes.

The Colts have rewarded a host of contract-year players under GM Chris Ballard. Quenton Nelson, Braden Smith and Ryan Kelly signed big-ticket re-ups ahead of their walk years. Ditto Shaquille Leonard, with Nyheim Hines also re-signing in his fourth NFL offseason. Like Leonard and Smith, Taylor and Pittman are ex-Day 2 selections. No fifth-year options exist in their contracts.

But the Colts are in a different place compared to recent offseasons. They are coming off a 4-13 season and have hired a new HC (Shane Steichen). As they may want to see how Pittman and Taylor look in Steichen’s system, Chappell adds the team should not be expected to hand out deals to the contract-year skill-position players before this season.

Taylor has obviously outperformed Pittman, but the latter plays a more valuable position in the modern game. Pittman, 25, took over for T.Y. Hilton as the Colts’ top target early in his career and has a 1,000-yard season on his resume. The 6-foot-4 wide receiver totaled a career-high 1,082 yards during Carson Wentz‘s season at the helm and finished last year with 925 during a season in which the Colts saw their QB plan crater. Three passers (Matt Ryan, Sam Ehlinger, Nick Foles) started games for the 2022 Colts, and with Taylor out for six games and the team’s O-line not performing on the level it did in recent years, Pittman was not exactly set up for success.

The second-generation pro will have an opportunity to bounce back, but the prospect of Anthony Richardson being the Week 1 starter could work against Pittman’s hopes at a second 1,000-yard season. The Colts will be eager to trot out the raw rookie, though that might not be ideal for Pittman’s contract year. Still, Taylor will bring a much cheaper franchise tag in 2024. This would leave Pittman, 25, as the team’s clear-cut top extension candidate.

Teams’ extension decisions in 2022 — for the likes of A.J. Brown, Terry McLaurin, Deebo Samuel, D.K. Metcalf and Diontae Johnson — left the 2023 free agent market thin at receiver. As of August, Pittman joins Mike Evans, Tee Higgins, Tyler Boyd and Marquise Brown as the top wideouts eligible for unrestricted free agency in 2024.

Colts Not Dismissing Jonathan Taylor Trade

August 3rd, 2023 at 10:58am CST by Sam Robinson

The Colts-Jonathan Taylor impasse has showed no signs of ending, as the second week of a training camp observational period begins for the talented running back. Jim Irsay has indicated the Colts will not honor Taylor’s trade request, but this escalating situation might be moving the team toward at least considering a deal.

Trading Taylor is a subject that has not been completely shut down at Colts headquarters, Stephen Holder of ESPN.com reports, adding multiple NFL execs believe a trade market exists for the 24-year-old back. Going into his fourth season, Taylor is a more attractive commodity compared to the lot of late-20-somethings on the free agent market.

A team that acquires Taylor could attempt to slow-play this, as the Colts are doing by indicating no extension offer is coming soon, with a 2024 franchise tag available. But it should be considered likely a team that acquires the contract-year back would have a contract ready to go. Multiple teams are believed to be open to a trade-and-extend scenario involving the former rushing champion.

Indianapolis’ goal remains to retain Taylor, Jeff Howe of The Athletic writes, and have him back in his starting role to begin the Anthony Richardson era (subscription required). As this offseason has shown, running back leverage has cratered. Midlevel free agent contracts, cap-casualty decisions, pay cuts and a franchise tag deadline coming and going without an extension has turned this into a crisis point for the position. Derrick Henry has initiated talks among backs about their position’s standing, per TitanInsider.com’s Terry McCormick, and Taylor voiced frustration after the tag deadline hit without Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs or Tony Pollard landing a deal.

A host of anonymous executives informed Howe a trade should not be considered likely, due to the cost of a second contract and the supply-and-demand issue plaguing the position. While Dalvin Cook and Ezekiel Elliott were listed by two such execs as cheaper options, Taylor would represent a higher class of player at this stage of his career. The Colts RB has 860 career touches; Cook and Elliott are at 1,503 and 2,186, respectively. A team could view Taylor as a much better asset and pull off a trade, and an extension — despite the carnage on the RB market this year — could line up well as the salary cap booms. That said, no team has even authorized a $12MM-per-year RB deal since the Browns paid Nick Chubb in July 2021. Due to his age and the cap rise, Taylor could logically be targeting the Christian McCaffrey–Alvin Kamara bracket, but no team has signed off on a $14MM-AAV deal for a back since the Saints inked Kamara in August 2020.

The Colts, particularly Irsay and GM Chris Ballard, have been surprised by Taylor’s attitude at camp, per Holder. Taylor hired a new agent this offseason and has not only become frustrated by his contract situation, but Holder adds the Colts’ approach to injury management has irked the Wisconsin alum. Taylor underwent arthroscopic ankle surgery in January, and the procedure was not expected to keep him out too long. Irsay pronounced him as ready to roll for camp. But Holder adds the Colts wanted Taylor to return to Indianapolis shortly before camp. This request did not go over well with Taylor, who interpreted it as a team push to return to action before he was 100%.

Taylor played hurt during last year’s miserable Colts campaign, finishing the season despite needing ankle surgery. Holder echoes the Sunday report regarding Taylor complaining of back and hamstring pain when coming to camp. Taylor has denied he notified the Colts of back pain, a subject that led to the rumor the Colts could shift him from the PUP list to the NFI list — a matter that could affect Taylor’s salary. That rumor only further intensified this situation, though Holder adds the PUP-to-NFI shift is unlikely.

Still, Taylor remains out of action. It is unclear if the ankle injury sustained in October 2022 is truly keeping him off the field or if this is a hold-in measure. The Colts, who have also lost Zack Moss to a broken arm, worked out Kenyan Drake on Wednesday.

It will be interesting to see if any viable trade offers come in for Taylor, who is set to be part of a big free agency class — one that, as of now, would include Barkley, Jacobs, Pollard, Henry, Austin Ekeler, J.K. Dobbins, AJ Dillon. We are still far away from that point, but it represents another factor that would work against him leaving Indianapolis via a 2023 trade.

Colts Work Out RB Kenyan Drake

August 2nd, 2023 at 4:42pm CST by Sam Robinson

Operating without their top two running backs presently, the Colts brought in a few veteran options Wednesday. Kenyan Drake, Benny Snell and Devine Ozigbo auditioned for the team, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets.

Colts running back matters are obviously magnified, with Jonathan Taylor still not practicing. In addition to the former rushing champion’s escalating drama, the Colts lost backup Zack Moss for approximately six weeks. Moss sustained a broken arm early during training camp.

[RELATED: Teams Showing Interest In Colts’ Taylor]

Teams have called on Drake to work as a backup over the past two seasons, with the former third-round pick moving from Las Vegas to Baltimore in that span. But Drake did see steady run as the Ravens’ starter in 2022, doing so despite arriving just before the regular season began. J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards‘ injuries opened the door for the ex-Dolphins draftee, who amassed 482 rushing yards (4.4 per carry) and four touchdowns with the Ravens last season. Drake, 28, finished with at least 60 rushing yards in three of his five starts. He totaled 119 in a Ravens loss to the Giants.

The Ravens have since added Melvin Gordon, lessening the need for Drake to come back. Although Dobbins has been connected to contract dissatisfaction (a topic the Colts are becoming well versed in), he should be healthier compared to his 2022 version. Edwards also remains under contract. Drake is also three years removed from being transition-tagged by the Cardinals. The Alabama product totaled back-to-back seasons with at least 1,000 scrimmage yards from 2019-20, topping out at 1,162 in ’19, when the rebuilding Dolphins dealt him to Arizona.

Snell played out his Steelers rookie contract last season, while Ozigbo saw scant work as a Broncos backup in 2022. Without Taylor and Moss, the Colts are down to Deon Jackson, ex-Rams UDFA Jake Funk and fifth-round rookie Evan Hull in the backfield.

Taylor, who underwent ankle surgery earlier this year, was believed to be healthy — per Jim Irsay, at least — before camp. Rumblings of a back injury — which Taylor has directly denied — sprang up, leading to controversy about the Colts shifting the 2021 rushing champion from the PUP list to the NFI list. That move would put Taylor’s salary at risk and make this uglier than it has already gotten. Irsay has said the Colts are not trading the contract-year back, despite his request. But the team has run into a major issue with a player who had said earlier this offseason he still wished to retire with Indianapolis. With no contract offer having emerged and a trade request issued, we are a long way from that sentiment.

Colts Sign WR Amari Rodgers

August 2nd, 2023 at 3:49pm CST by Sam Robinson

Two teams have cut Amari Rodgers in the past year. A third will give the former third-round pick a chance. Rodgers reached an agreement to join the Colts on Wednesday, the team announced. The team waived wideout Johnny King to clear a roster spot.

The Texans waived Rodgers last week, joining the Packers in doing so. The former Clemson wide receiver is no longer attached to his rookie deal, with no one claiming it after the Texans cut. Houston had claimed Rodgers midway through last season, using the No. 1 waiver priority to do so. Rodgers is believed to have requested the Texans waive him.

Rodgers has been unable to impress as a pro, working mostly as a return specialist. The Texans did give the ex-Trevor Lawrence college target some receiver run after claiming him last year. Rodgers caught 12 passes for 154 yards and a touchdown during six games with Houston. That reception count topped his 26-game total as a Packer; Rodgers caught just eight passes with Green Bay.

Catching the Packers’ attention as a slot option, Rodgers broke through for the ACC power as a senior in 2020. The 5-foot-9 pass catcher totaled 77 receptions for 1,020 yards and seven touchdowns during Lawrence’s finale. Rodgers surpassed 400 receiving yards during Lawrence’s two underclassman seasons but has not been able to turn that college production into a pro role of note.

Letting the injury-prone Parris Campbell walk in free agency, the Colts used a third-round pick on North Carolina slot option Josh Downs. They also signed veteran inside option Isaiah McKenzie. These two look to have Indianapolis’ slot responsibilities locked down, but a practice squad opportunity could also benefit Rodgers. Though, he will try to make Indy’s active roster before taxi squads enter the equation at month’s end.

Teams Showing Interest In Jonathan Taylor

August 1st, 2023 at 9:54pm CST by Sam Robinson

The escalating drama between the Colts and Jonathan Taylor certainly qualifies as one of the defining storylines during an important year for the running back position. Taylor remains out of Colts practice and has requested a trade.

As of Tuesday, the Colts are against trading the former rushing champion. A recent report also indicated a robust market should not be expected to form, as several backs — including some who have also expressed frustration about their present situations — are on track to hit free agency in 2024. Taylor is as well, though the franchise tag is a play the Colts can make. Would another team force the Colts’ hand early?

Interest is, however, expected to exist for Taylor, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com notes (video link). Adding on that point, Rapoport indicates multiple teams are expected to call the Colts to see how resolute they are in not trading the 2021 All-Pro. No resolution between Taylor and the Colts appears close.

The former second-round pick is going into a contract year and doing so at a bad time for the running back market. But Taylor is only going into his age-24 season. Prime years should remain for the Wisconsin alum, who finished second in the 2021 Offensive Player of the Year voting. Although a team that trades for Taylor would have the option of franchise-tagging him in 2024, Rapoport adds multiple clubs are believed to be open to giving him a real contract. That would presumably mean a deal north of $12MM per year, though it is not known how high prospective suitors would be willing to go.

No team has authorized a running back deal beyond the $13MM-AAV point since the Saints reupped Alvin Kamara in August 2020. The Vikings cut bait on their $12.6MM-per-year Dalvin Cook deal this offseason, while the Bengals and Packers trimmed their $12MM-per-year backs’ pay for 2023. The salary cap has risen by nearly $30MM since the Kamara and Christian McCaffrey deals, however, and will make another climb in 2024.

Taylor voiced frustration about the market after Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs and Tony Pollard were not paid, and his issues with the Colts have escalated since. That said, ESPN’s Stephen Holder adds that the contract-year back has been at odds with the organization for a while (Twitter link). The Colts have not made an offer, with Jim Irsay — whose previous comments about the RB position added more fuel to this fire — publicly indicating as such.

Since the Taylor drama became known, the Colts have lost Zack Moss to a broken arm. They traded Nyheim Hines last season. Fifth-round rookie Evan Hull and veteran Deon Jackson reside as the top available options currently, though a few notable free agents — Ezekiel Elliott, Leonard Fournette, Kareem Hunt — remain beyond Cook. The ex-Viking’s connections remain to the AFC East at this point.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/1/23

August 1st, 2023 at 8:13pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are Tuesday’s minor moves:

Carolina Panthers

Chicago Bears

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

  • Signed: RB Toriano Clinton, TE La’Michael Pettway, T Dan Skipper
  • Waived: T Jordan Murray, TE Kaden Smith, DT Jamal Woods

Las Vegas Raiders

New England Patriots

  • Claimed (from Bears): WR Thyrick Pitts
  • Placed on reserve/retired list: WR Jalen Hurd

New York Giants

Pittsburgh Steelers

Seattle Seahawks

Chosen in the third round by the 49ers back in 2019, Hurd never ended up seeing regular-season action. A converted running back who played in front of Alvin Kamara at points while at Tennessee, Hurd transferred to Baylor and became a wide receiver. Two season-ending injuries — a back malady in 2019 and an ACL tear in 2020 — derailed Hurd’s 49ers tenure. The team cut him during the 2021 season. Barely a week after the Patriots signed Hurd, it appears he is throwing in the towel on an injury-plagued career.

Penisini had unretired this offseason, joining the Panthers. The former Lions sixth-rounder played two seasons on his rookie contract but called it quits in June 2022. His unretirement will precede a Panthers exit. The Lions are moving Zylstra off their 90-man roster due to a severe knee injury. If unclaimed, Zylstra would revert to Detroit’s IR list. Zylstra has seen action in 17 games for the Lions over the past two seasons.

Hassenauer will require surgery to repair a triceps injury, and this transaction will shut him down — as far as the Giants are concerned. The only way Hassenauer can play in 2023 would be if the Giants removed him from IR via an injury settlement. Hairston suffered a herniated disk during practice, per KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson (on Twitter).

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