Colts Weigh Reducing Jonathan Taylor’s Workload Amid Injury Concerns

Running back Jonathan Taylor entered the 2026 season after posting back-to-back 300-plus-carry seasons, a feat matched only by Derrick Henry. Over the past two years he amassed 3,016 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns on 626 attempts, accounting for 73.1 % of Indianapolis’ rushing attempts—the highest share in the league. Taylor’s workload peaked at a league-high 323 carries last season, while the next-most-used backs have not exceeded 159 rushing yards in a single season since his arrival.

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Colts staff acknowledge the durability-risk link between volume and injury. Running backs coach DeAndre Smith said the coaching staff is “constantly” exploring ways to give Taylor rest, emphasizing that “when he’s healthy, we’ve got a chance to win every game.” Head coach Shane Steichen echoed the sentiment, noting that the team must balance Taylor’s elite production with the need to keep him available week-to-week. The organization has drafted running backs DJ Giddens (2025, fifth round) and Seth McGowan (2026, sixth round) in hopes they can assume a share of carries, though Giddens recorded only 26 rushes as a rookie.

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Analysts point to the correlation between high usage and injury risk, noting Taylor missed three games in 2024 and a total of 13 games across the 2022-2023 seasons. The Colts’ reliance on a single back leaves little margin for error; no secondary runner has posted more than 159 rushing yards in a season since Taylor’s debut. Critics argue that without a viable backup, the team may face diminished offensive effectiveness should Taylor’s health decline.

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• “We definitely need to find ways to take some of that workload off him,” — DeAndre Smith, running backs coach

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• “You can feel it on the sidelines [while] calling the game when guys are rolling,” — Shane Steichen, head coach

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• “It's hard to take him off the field when he's running so good.” — Shane Steichen, head coach

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• “I'm very meticulous about my process and I just want to make sure that I'm in the best shape possible,” — Jonathan Taylor, running back

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• “Whether it's a large workload or a minimum workload," he said, "I'm prepared and ready to go.” — Jonathan Taylor, running back

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