New contract and healthy offseason help remake image of Colts running back Jonathan Taylor

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor looks like his old self at training camp.

He’s happy, healthy and focused — a stark contrast from the guy who arrived last summer with an injured ankle and a somber approach to a nasty contract spat.

Teammates understood the surprising transformation was merely the result of Taylor taking care of business with the team. Now, though, they’re hopeful the return of his happy-go-lucky attitude also leads to a return to form after two injury-filled seasons.

“Just being able to have JT in the building, his influence, his leadership, his energy, just appreciate that, knowing he’s through those woods,” linebacker Zaire Franklin said after Sunday’s sweltering practice. “Then having him on the field, it means a lot. He’s the best back in the league.”

That certainly was true in 2020, when Taylor topped the 1,000-yard mark after an injury forced him to carry a heavier load than most rookies. It also was true in 2021 when Taylor won the NFL’s rushing title by dethroning two-time champ Derrick Henry.

After just two seasons, Taylor had emerged as one of the league’s top backs. He rushed for nearly 3,000 yards and 29 touchdowns while catching 76 passes for an additional 659 yards and three scores.

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Then the injuries hit, and Taylor’s career trajectory went a different direction.

He missed six games with a sprained ankle in 2022, limiting him to 861 yards and four TDs, and after opting for offseason surgery missed all of Indy’s 2023 offseason workouts, the entire training camp and preseason and the Colts’ first four regular-season games just as he was entering the final year of his contract.

Suddenly, the seemingly unflappable Taylor found himself in the headlines for all the undesirable reasons — he carried the torch for the league’s underpaid running back, had a field side meeting with team owner Jim Irsay in his motorhome as a packed crowd watched the Colts evening practice and even took his trade request public. Team officials responded by giving Taylor permission to shop for a trade partner.

Fans thought the tattered relationship couldn’t be mended. Taylor signed a three-year contract extension worth $42 million just before his October season debut that seemed to make amends, allowing him to focus solely on regaining his All-Pro form.

“It’s almost like when you go to take a test,” Taylor said about his new start this season. “When you know you haven’t been studying, you kind of have that seed of doubt, but when you know you’ve had a full offseason of preparation, you know the time, you know the sweat equity you put in, you just can’t wait to go and attack it.”

There’s little doubt the 25-year-old Taylor feels he has plenty to prove.

Some wary scouts thought the former New Jersey prep star’s college workload would lead to a short career. Taylor had 926 carries in three seasons at Wisconsin, falling 23 yards short of becoming the first FBS player with three 2,000-yard seasons.

Now, after rushing for 1,602 yards and 11 TDs over the past two seasons, Taylor wants to show everyone he can rebound and there were indications late last season that he could.

Taylor followed his slow start by nearing 100-yard games three times during a six-game stretch while splitting carries with Zack Moss. Taylor finally ended a 13-game drought without topping 100 yards by rushing for 188 yards in a season-closing loss to Houston.

But with all five starting offensive linemen back, Moss now in Cincinnati and Taylor set to be paired in the backfield with second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson, who is as potent with his legs as with his arm. Richardson suffered a season-ending injury after taking just one game snap with Taylor on the field.

Taylor, among others, is eager to see how it works.

“It’s just something that I didn’t get last year,” Taylor said when asked about working with Richardson this offseason, flashing his familiar smile. “So anytime you can get continuous reps with your quarterback, it’s always a big plus. I’m excited where we’re at this point.”

So is Franklin, who has gotten a first-hand glimpse at what linebackers around the league must deal with when Taylor and Richardson line up together in the backfield.

And even for Franklin, who finished second in the league with 179 tackles last season, it hasn’t been easy.

“You just can’t really trust anything you see,” Franklin said. “They’re just constantly putting me or E.J. (Speed) in tough situations to make a decision. I’m not going to lie, sometimes you’ve got to guess. You guess wrong sometimes, but it’s tough. I know being in a full contact live situation, having to respect Anthony’s legs and then tackle JT in space is easier said than done.”

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