Why isn’t Jonathan Taylor playing for the Colts against the Jaguars? NFL Week 5 injury status

While the focus will undoubtedly be on quarterback Anthony Richardson who has been listed as questionable, the Colts will face the Jaguars knowing that they can’t count on the services of the starting running back. Not good news for a team already depleted by injury.

Jonathan Taylor’s absence is one of many for the Colts

As mentioned before, Indianapolis Colts starting quarterback Anthony Richardson is questionable for the team’s Week 5 road game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Should Richardson be unable to go, veteran Joe Flacco will get the nod under center. If you missed it, Richardson injured his hip during a Week 4 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers and had initially held out hope that he would face the Jags, but the Colts have decided to take the cautious approach with their franchise quarterback.

Sadly, the case of running back Jonathan Taylor is far more definitive in that he’s been officially ruled out due to a sprained ankle that was also sustained during the game against Pittsburgh. Speaking on Friday, Colts head coach Shane Steichen explained that the team will employ a “running back by committee” approach versus Jacksonville.

Now, it should be said that the doubts around Richardson and Taylor’s absence are not the only headaches that the team has. Indeed, defensive end Kwity Paye (quad) and cornerback Kenny Moore II (hip) have also been ruled out and that’s before we get to those who were already ruled out through injury.

At present, the Colts are without a number of key players who are on injured reserve. They include defensive ends Samson Ebukam and Tyquan Lewis, defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, and cornerback JuJu Brents. At 3-1, the Colts are on the up which is to say this would not be an ideal time to take a loss. The Jaguars on the other hand are 4-0 and will be desperate to get their first. Could it be that the Indianapolis’ banged-up roster is the difference maker between the two? Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. ET on Sunday at EverBank Stadium. Don’t miss it!