Tuesday is cut day in the NFL, but news emerged across the transactions aisleway for a move that won’t be made. The Indianapolis Colts won’t trade disgruntled star running back Jonathan Taylor before the PUP deadline passes.
NFL players may be removed from the Physically Unable to Perform list up until 4 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday. Given that the Colts decided not to activate him or trade him, he will remain on the PUP list. That means that whether he’s dealt or not, Taylor must miss the first four games of the upcoming 2023 season.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the details. “No deal: Indianapolis did not find what it felt was a fair-value offer for Jonathan Taylor,” Schefter said.
“And it is not trading its All-Pro running back today, league sources tell ESPN. With no trade materializing today, Taylor now is expected to remain on the Physically Unable to Perform List, making him ineligible to play the first four games of the season. Taylor now is expected to miss games vs. the Jaguars, at Houston, at Baltimore and vs. the Rams.”
Taylor and the Colts have been at odds over the former’s contract. The former Wisconsin Badgers star wants to be paid more than he is especially after his productive 2021 season. Taylor led the NFL in several categories that year, including rushing yards and touchdowns. But after an injury-riddled 2022, skepticism clearly emerged.
As did a recent referendum on paying running backs. The issue got so critical that several of the NFL’s top tailbacks convened to try and figure out solutions. Taylor’s contract dispute with the Colts sparked a furious debate on the subject. A month later, however, and there’s no deal for Taylor on either end. So it just winds up being an unfortunate situation for the former Badger.
The NFL world had lots to say about the Jonathan Taylor update.
Yeah Jonathan Taylor is pissed, and rightfully so ‼️🤦🏻♂️ pic.twitter.com/VWp0avym49
— Bobby Shouse (@B_Shousejr) August 29, 2023
Yeah, you'll totally get that 1st round pick for him now with him sitting the first month of the season and then shopping him for half a season! https://t.co/3OtiagDG6I
— Kyle Crabbs (@GrindingTheTape) August 29, 2023
So he ain’t valuable enough to pay him, but he too valuable to trade??? https://t.co/DGY0FqOCFY
— Don’t get put in a mix (@Cambition57) August 29, 2023
Important to note: Teams are allowed to trade players who are on PUP. But obviously, knowing he's going to miss at least the first four games is going to make teams rethink what they're willing to offer for him. https://t.co/ypnbA25CRq
— Dan Graziano (@DanGrazianoESPN) August 29, 2023
About Chris Novak
Chris Novak has been talking and writing about sports ever since he can remember. Previously, Novak wrote for and managed sites in the SB Nation network for nearly a decade from 2013-2022