Taylor says goodbye to Indy fans before trade deadline
Colts running back Jonathan Taylor called the city a place where he grew up as the team faces a 27-23 loss to Dallas.
By Arjun Weber ·
Jonathan Taylor is not sure if Sunday was his final home game for the Indianapolis Colts, but the moment felt like a farewell.
The 2021 rushing champion was warming up when the stadium screens began playing a montage of his career highlights. It was not an official send-off, yet the display matched the weeks of rumors swirling around his future. The Colts lost to the Dallas Cowboys 27-23, extending their losing streak to five games.
The game ended on a painful sequence for Indianapolis. The team had erased a 10-point second-half deficit to lead 23-20 with 1:37 remaining. Javonte Williams then ran for a one-yard touchdown to tie the score. With 35 seconds left, quarterback Daniel Jones threw an interception to Caleb Downs, sealing the defeat.
Taylor struggled on the ground, carrying the ball 13 times for 46 yards. He also caught five passes for 18 yards. A fourth-quarter fumble cost the Colts a scoring opportunity. Despite the rough day, he remains the franchise leader in career touchdowns with 77.
Coach Shane Steichen avoided speculation about a potential deal, stating that Taylor is on the football team. Steichen, whose own job is under pressure, said he is not going to get into trade talk. The NFL trade deadline is Tuesday, and the Colts could move Taylor, Jones, or both.
Jones had a mixed game, completing 20 of 34 passes for 180 yards and two touchdowns. The late pick to Downs was his first turnover of the day. Jones said he focused on preparation rather than the distractions surrounding his status. He noted that there have been plenty of distractions in the last couple of weeks, but his approach was to focus on what was in front of him.
Receiver Josh Downs, Jones' cousin, also faced uncertainty. He caught three passes for 24 yards while playing against his younger brother Caleb. Unlike Taylor and Jones, Downs requested a trade last week. He said he is open to whatever decision the team makes, whether they want him to stay or move him.
Taylor expressed gratitude for the city of Indianapolis, saying the place helped shape him into the man he is today. He admitted that he loves representing the team, but the decision is now out of his hands. The Colts will host Miami next week, a game Taylor may not see from the field if a trade is finalized by the deadline.
