Jonathan Taylor's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

As reported by Kevin Bowen of 'The Fan,' Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen is "very optimistic" that running back Jonathan Taylor (ankle) will return to action in Week 8. It's excellent news for the Colts and fantasy managers, as Taylor has been shelved since Week 4 when he picked up an ankle sprain in the team's 27-24 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. It'd be nice to see him return to practice -- something he hasn't done in quite some time -- but it's an encouraging statement from his head coach. Steichen noted that defensive lineman DeForest Buckner (ankle) will also return this week. Even if Taylor is active, it's fair to wonder about his workload and effectiveness coming off an injury that can sap a player's juice for a bit. However, he is one of the most dynamic backs in the league and should immediately slide back in as the Colts' RB1. Indianapolis will take on their division-rival Houston Texans this Sunday, and the 25-year-old struggled against them back in Week 1, averaging three yards per carry on his 16 rush attempts (48 yards) and scoring a touchdown.

Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen said that running back Jonathan Taylor (ankle) will not play in Week 7 against the Miami Dolphins. Taylor will now miss his third straight game due to a right-ankle sprain, but hopefully he'll be able to make it back for a Week 8 date against the division-rival Houston Texans on Oct. 27. With Trey Sermon (knee) also dealing with an injury, it's possible we'll see more of Tyler Goodson and Evan Hull, depending on whether Sermon is active for Sunday's game. Sermon hasn't been all that effective on the ground the last two weeks with Taylor out, so even if he's active, he could yield more backfield touches to Goodson and Hull. Taylor obviously needs to remain on fantasy benches, while Sermon will be nothing more than a low-upside RB3/flex against Miami if he's active.

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (ankle) was not seen on the field at Thursday's practice and has not practiced or played since suffering a right high-ankle sprain in Week 4. Taylor said that he was unsure if he would practice at all again this week, making it more likely that he'll miss a third straight contest in Week 7 against the Miami Dolphins. He still has one more day on Friday to return to practice, but as of right now, fantasy managers shouldn't be confident in Taylor suiting up on Sunday. The good news for the Colts is that Trey Sermon (knee), who has been the lead back the last two games with Taylor out, returned to practice after being a DNP on Wednesday. If Taylor misses another contest, the Colts give Tyler Goodson a bigger share of the backfield touches if Sermon ends up playing.