Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor took to social media on Sunday night to deny an ESPN report that claims the franchise is considering placing him on the non-football IL for a back injury he allegedly reported in his pre-training camp physical.
Taylor, 24, is now claiming he never reported a back injury because there was never one to report and slammed ESPN‘s Stephen Holder for his unreliable sources.
Patrick Mahomes gets attacked by a bee and tries to escape
“First: Never had a back pain,” Taylor tweeted. “Second: Never reported back pain. Not sure who ‘sources’ are, but find new ones.”
Holder reported the situation on Sunday, claiming the Colts are “considering whether to place Taylor on the non-football injury list, which could result in Indianapolis withholding his salary, the source said.”
Taylor is heading into the final year of his rookie contract and running backs are currently fighting for better pay. Now that Holder is reporting the RB discussed a back issue with the team’s medical staff on Tuesday, his income could be at stake.
Jonathan Taylor vs. Jim Irsay
Jim Irsay has made it clear he will not offer Taylor a contract extension and the running back requested a trade on Saturday after a one-hour meeting with the Colts owner.
Irsay, 64, does not intend to sign Taylor to an extension at the moment and will likely look to get the most in return on a trade, which is unlikely right now.
The way this situation is unfolding could set up a war between Irsay and Taylor, a stalemate that would negatively affect the RB’s prime.
Taylor, who failed his physical due to an ankle surgery, is currently on the PUP list, but the alleged back injury could make things take a turn for the worst. Anthony Richardson, meanwhile, is shining, so far. The rookie quarterback is impressing fans during training camp.
