Colts' Taylor denies report of suffering back injury before training camp
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor is refuting reports that he suffered a back injury this offseason while away from the team.
1.) Never had a back pain.
— Jonathan Taylor (@JayT23) July 31, 2023
2.) Never reported back pain.
Not sure who “sources” are, but find new ones 🤔
Taylor's comments come following Stephen Holder of ESPN's report that he failed his pre-training camp physical. Holder also reported that the Colts are considering moving Taylor from the physically unable to perform list to the non-football injury list as a result. The team reportedly learned about the apparent back injury when the running back reported for camp Tuesday.
Additionally, Mike Chappell of FOX59 reported that the Wisconsin product suffered a back injury, saying he sustained the ailment while working out on his own in Arizona.
If Taylor is placed on the non-football injury list, Indianapolis can withhold salary from Taylor once the season starts. Taylor has a $4.3-million base salary in 2023, according to Over the Cap.
The 24-year-old reportedly requested a trade Saturday after meeting with owner Jim Irsay on his private bus during practice. Taylor is seeking a new deal, as he's set to hit free agency following the 2023 season.
Irsay said the team won't trade the star running back and has no immediate plans of signing him to a contract extension.
Taylor has been with the Colts since being selected in the second round of the 2020 draft. The 2021 rushing leader has 3,841 rushing yards and 33 touchdowns in 43 career games.