Jonathan Taylor Injury Update: What Happened to Jonathan Taylor?
by Aishwarya R | Updated Aug 01, 2023
Who is Jonathan Taylor?
Jonathan Taylor is an American football running back who currently plays for the Indianapolis Colts in the National Football League (NFL). Born on January 19, 1999, Taylor's football journey began in high school at Salem High School, where he achieved remarkable success and set a New Jersey state record for rushing yards.
Continuing his football career at the college level, Taylor played for the University of Wisconsin. During his time at Wisconsin, he displayed exceptional talent and became one of the most prolific rushers in college football history. Taylor concluded his college career as the sixth all-time rusher in the NCAA and achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first player to rush for over 6,000 yards in any three-year span. His remarkable performances earned him high praise and recognition, as he finished in the top ten of Heisman Trophy voting for three consecutive years.
Throughout his college tenure, Taylor's outstanding skills as a running back earned him numerous accolades and honors. After the 2018 and 2019 seasons, he received the prestigious Doak Walker Award, presented to the top running back in college football. Additionally, he was named a unanimous first-team All-American in those seasons, solidifying his reputation as one of the finest running backs in the country.
Following his successful college career, Jonathan Taylor entered the 2020 NFL Draft and was selected in the second round by the Indianapolis Colts with the 41st overall pick. Upon joining the NFL, Taylor continued to showcase his talents and made a significant impact in the league. In the 2021 season, he led the NFL in both rushing yards and touchdowns, earning him the honor of being a unanimous All-Pro and securing a spot in the Pro Bowl.
Jonathan Taylor has established himself as a standout running back known for his exceptional speed, agility, and ability to gain significant yardage on the field. With a promising career ahead of him, he continues to be a key player for the Indianapolis Colts, leaving a lasting impression on fans and fellow athletes alike with his remarkable performances on the gridiron.
Jonathan Taylor Injury Update
As of the latest developments, Jonathan Taylor's relationship with the Indianapolis Colts appears to be facing significant challenges. The running back took to social media to dispute a report by ESPN stating that he had suffered a back injury away from the field, potentially leading to him being placed on the non-football injury list (NFI).
According to ESPN's report, Taylor experienced back pain during his physical examination. The source of the injury was believed to be an incident that occurred outside of the team's activities. Indianapolis' medical staff had not been made aware of any prior instances of a back injury from Taylor, although there is speculation that the ailment could be related to a previous injury. Due to the back injury and an ankle injury for which Taylor underwent surgery earlier in 2023, he reportedly failed his physical examination.
In response to the report, Jonathan Taylor addressed the situation on Twitter, asserting that he had not reported any back pain and called out the sources mentioned in the ESPN report. It's worth noting that the report surfaced shortly after Taylor requested a trade from the Colts, following stalled extension talks between him and the organization.
If Taylor were to be placed on the NFI list, the Colts would potentially be able to avoid paying him under the league's collective bargaining agreement. However, the situation remains fluid, and the implications of Taylor's injury status and trade request are yet to be fully resolved. As of now, further updates on Jonathan Taylor's injury status and his relationship with the Colts have not been officially released. The situation will likely continue to be closely monitored by fans, analysts, and the media as it unfolds in the coming days and weeks.
What Happened to Jonathan Taylor?
As of the 2023 NFL offseason, Jonathan Taylor's situation with the Indianapolis Colts has become increasingly complicated and contentious. At the start of training camp, Taylor was placed on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, indicating that he is dealing with some form of injury or health issue. However, there have been conflicting reports regarding the nature and severity of the injury.
It appears that the issues between Taylor and the Colts escalated after a meeting with Colts owner Jim Irsay. Shortly after the meeting, Taylor reportedly requested a trade, expressing his dissatisfaction with the team and possibly seeking better contract terms elsewhere. The situation was further fueled when Taylor's agent, Malki Kawa, publicly criticized Irsay on Twitter for his remarks regarding running backs' complaints over the league's valuation of their position.
The 2023 NFL offseason has indeed been tumultuous for running backs, with notable players like Ezekiel Elliott, Dalvin Cook, Joe Mixon, and Aaron Jones facing contract challenges and other issues with their respective teams. Taylor is among several running backs, including Saquon Barkley, Tony Pollard, and Josh Jacobs, who were placed on franchise tags and could not reach extension agreements with their teams.
Despite the trade request and contract disputes, Colts owner Jim Irsay has maintained that the team has no intention of trading Taylor. With Taylor entering the final year of his rookie contract and being selected in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, the team does not have the fifth-year option available. As a result, the Colts can only use the franchise tag in an attempt to retain Taylor for the future.
It's important to note that Jonathan Taylor has been one of the standout running backs in the league since his debut, amassing impressive stats with 3,841 rushing yards and 33 rushing touchdowns in his first three seasons in Indianapolis. Despite his on-field performance, the situation underscores the challenges and uncertainties that running backs face when it comes to contract negotiations and long-term security in the NFL.
As the situation continues to unfold, Taylor's future with the Colts and the resolution of his contract issues remain uncertain. Fans, analysts, and the media will undoubtedly keep a close eye on the developments surrounding Jonathan Taylor and his status with the Indianapolis Colts.
Jonathan Taylor Career in Indianapolis Colts
Jonathan Taylor's career with the Indianapolis Colts has been nothing short of remarkable since he was selected in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. From the beginning, Taylor displayed immense potential and was seen as having the best situation to succeed with the Colts, according to Michael Renner of Pro Football Focus.
In his rookie season, Taylor started as the backup running back behind Marlon Mack. However, his fortunes changed in Week 1 when Mack suffered a season-ending torn Achilles tendon, thrusting Taylor into the starting role for the remainder of the year. He quickly proved himself as a force to be reckoned with, making his NFL debut with impressive performances.
Throughout the season, Taylor consistently showcased his exceptional rushing and receiving abilities, earning him recognition and accolades. By the end of his rookie year, Taylor had recorded 1,169 rushing yards, 11 touchdowns, and only one fumble. His remarkable performances earned him a spot in the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month and the PFWA All-Rookie Team for 2020.
In the 2021 season, Taylor continued to impress and established himself as one of the premier running backs in the league. He started as the Colts' primary running back and consistently put up impressive numbers. Taylor had several standout games, including a remarkable performance in Week 11 against the Buffalo Bills, where he recorded 204 total yards and five touchdowns, breaking the Colts' franchise records for rushing and total touchdowns in a single game.
He finished the 2021 season as the leader in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns, earning him the distinction of being both the rushing yards leader and rushing touchdown leader for the year. Taylor's incredible streak of eight consecutive games with 100-plus scrimmage yards and at least one rushing touchdown tied an NFL record.
Throughout the 2021 season, Taylor was a dominant force on the field, earning numerous accolades such as the AFC Offensive Player of the Month and the AFC Offensive Player of the Week multiple times. He was unanimously selected to the First-team 2021 All-Pro Team and was the winner of the prestigious Bert Bell Award.
Entering the 2022 season, Taylor continued to impress with strong performances, including a remarkable 161 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown in a Week 1 tie against the Houston Texans. Unfortunately, he suffered an ankle injury later in the season, causing him to miss some games and eventually being placed on injured reserve.
Despite the injury setback, Jonathan Taylor's career with the Indianapolis Colts has been characterized by consistency, outstanding performances, and numerous records and awards. His combination of speed, agility, and power has made him one of the most exciting and dynamic running backs in the NFL. As he continues to recover and build on his already impressive career, Taylor remains a key asset for the Colts and a player to watch in the league.
Jonathan Taylor Early Life
Jonathan Taylor's journey to becoming an NFL star started in Salem, New Jersey, where he was born to parents Elizabeth Taylor and Jonathan James. His father, Jonathan James, had a background in sports as he played basketball for San Francisco State from 1982 to 1986. Taylor attended Salem High School, where he made a significant impact on the football field.
During his high school football career, Taylor displayed incredible talent, accumulating an impressive total of 4,642 rushing yards and scoring 51 touchdowns. As a senior, he set a New Jersey state record by rushing for an astounding 2,815 yards, breaking the previous record held by former Wisconsin Badgers running back Corey Clement. Taylor's senior season was particularly outstanding, averaging 234.6 yards per game and recording an impressive 35 rushing touchdowns and 37 total touchdowns.
For his remarkable performances during his senior year, Taylor was honored with the prestigious Jim Henry Award, recognizing him as the high-school area player of the year for New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. Alongside his football success, Taylor was also an accomplished athlete in track and field, winning two state titles in the 100-meter dash with a personal best time of 10.49 seconds.
Despite his impressive high school accomplishments, Taylor was initially rated as a three-star prospect and the 24th-highest ranked running back in the class of 2017 by 247Sports. He initially committed to play college football at Rutgers University, but later changed his commitment to the University of Wisconsin-Madison on November 1, 2016.
Taylor's decision to attend the University of Wisconsin proved to be a pivotal one, as he went on to have a record-breaking and highly successful college football career. His exceptional performances at Wisconsin caught the attention of NFL scouts, leading to his selection by the Indianapolis Colts in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Since then, Jonathan Taylor has continued to showcase his talents and has become one of the premier running backs in the NFL. His journey from Salem High School to NFL stardom is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and outstanding abilities on the football field.
Jonathan Taylor Girlfriend
Jonathan Taylor's girlfriend is Ayyana Chapman, and they have been high school sweethearts. They both attended Salem High School together and fell in love during their time there. Chapman shares Taylor's passion for sports and was an avid field hockey player during her high school years, achieving impressive records in the sport.
Following her passion for field hockey, Chapman continued her interest in the sport and went on to attend Ball State University. Despite the geographical distance between them, Taylor and Chapman successfully maintained their relationship as they pursued their respective academic and athletic endeavors. Jonathan Taylor and Ayyana Chapman first met when they were both attending Salem High School.
Taylor, known for his record-setting performances in football, was just 15 years old at the time. Chapman, a skilled midfielder, represented her high school in field hockey. As they moved on to college, Taylor chose the University of Wisconsin to continue his football career, while Chapman attended Ball State University to pursue her studies and further her passion for field hockey.
Throughout their college years, the couple remained committed to each other, showing their love and support on social media. In March 2022, Jonathan Taylor and Ayyana Chapman shared the exciting news of their engagement. The couple posted photos of the special moment, capturing the heartfelt scene where Taylor went down on one knee to propose to Chapman.
The couple's love story has been a testament to their strong bond, which began in their high school days and continued to flourish despite the challenges of distance and busy schedules. Their open and loving relationship on social media has delighted fans and showcased the support they have for each other both on and off the field. As they embark on this new chapter of their lives together, fans and well-wishers eagerly anticipate witnessing their love and companionship grow even further.
Jonathan Taylor Injury Update - FAQs
Jonathan Taylor's injury status has been impacted by a high ankle sprain that he suffered during the 2022 NFL season. Due to this injury, he was placed on injured reserve on December 20, 2022, effectively ending his season. However, please note that further updates may have occurred after this information was last recorded.
Jonathan Taylor suffered the high ankle sprain during a game against the Tennessee Titans in the fourth quarter of a Week 4 matchup during the 2022 NFL season.
As a result of the ankle injury, Jonathan Taylor missed three games during the 2022 NFL season. The games he missed were the Colts' Week 5 matchup against the Denver Broncos and two other games following the injury.
Before his injury in the 2022 NFL season, Jonathan Taylor had an impressive performance in Week 1 against the Houston Texans, where he recorded 161 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown in a 20–20 tie. However, please note that his statistics before the injury might have varied throughout the season.
As of the last available update, there is no specific information regarding Jonathan Taylor's recovery timeline for the next NFL season. High ankle sprains can vary in severity and recovery time, and it's essential to monitor official updates from the Indianapolis Colts and medical staff as they become available to determine Taylor's status for the upcoming season.