The issues between the Indianapolis Colts and running back Jonathan Taylor are not getting cleaner. In fact, they may be getting messier.
On Saturday, Taylor requested a trade shortly after a meeting with team owner, Jim Irsay. On Sunday, news broke that Taylor reported a back issue during a physical.
And since the injury did not occur with the team, ESPN’s Stephen Holder is reporting contract situation for the 2023 season could be complicated.
“Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor, who has requested a trade, reported back pain during his pre-training camp physical that was deemed to be from an injury that was not sustained while playing for Indianapolis, a league source told ESPN,” Holder said. “The situation now has the team considering whether to place Taylor on the non-football injury list, which could result in Indianapolis withholding his salary, the source said.”
This situation didn’t need to get more hectic. Shortly after Taylor requested a trade, Irsay said (among other things) that the running back would not be moved.
Seeing the latest news, the NFL world was highly critical of Irsay as well as Taylor’s camp — specifically, his agent.
How to ostracize players 101 https://t.co/AlKuf9uVfP
— Jake Ciely (@allinkid) July 31, 2023
Colts counteroffer to Jonathan Taylor https://t.co/LB2XNdIOAj pic.twitter.com/Pfhj3GwTzC
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) July 31, 2023
It's amusing to me that all of this is somehow supposed to result in the player getting more money. https://t.co/sooBAho6dG
— Mike Tanier (@MikeTanier) July 31, 2023
Taylor being placed on NFI may toll his contract so he would still have another year left on his rookie deal after this season. Again, his agent seems to have overplayed his hand given Taylor came into camp with an injury and the #Colts are calling his bluff. It’s sad really. https://t.co/IupByqjKaD
— Stephen Reed (@NiceReedSteve) July 31, 2023
Jonathan Taylor’s agent giving him the news https://t.co/6uzcP0YPUE pic.twitter.com/jf2V0amfKM
— Tone Digs (@ToneDigz) July 31, 2023
Jim Irsay finding new ways to not pay his players https://t.co/x1D3SsSeJz pic.twitter.com/CMKQDH5YXB
— MyBookie – Bet With The Best (@MyBookie) July 31, 2023
Irsay playing “hardball”. 🤣
So now Taylor says back feeling better, starts to practice, hurts something else, Colts can’t put on NFI because happened in camp.
Two can play this game. 🤷♂️ https://t.co/Mj677PS8NL
— Ross Tucker (@RossTuckerNFL) July 31, 2023
Jim Irsay is now one of the worst owners in the NFL. https://t.co/icNSyk56EW
— Zac (@DCzWall) July 31, 2023
Taylor, a second-round pick of the Colts in 2020, is entering the final year of his rookie contract. If Indianapolis does place him on the non-football injury list, it could keep him from entering free agency after the 2023 season.
[ESPN.com]
