'Colts Contemplating Suspending Jonathan Taylor According to Report'

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor may be staging a "hold-in" over a contract dispute, according to reports. Taylor has not passed a physical since undergoing surgery in January and could face suspension if he refuses to take another physical. The Colts may insist on a physical and suspend Taylor without pay if he continues to assert that his ankle is not fully healed. The relationship between Taylor and the Colts is strained, and a trade deal could still happen before the Oct. 31 deadline.

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor has been placed on the reserve/PUP list, meaning he will miss at least the first four games of the regular season. However, there may be more to this situation than meets the eye. According to sources, the Colts believe that Taylor is healthy but is staging a "hold-in" to express his frustration over not receiving a contract extension.

Taylor underwent arthroscopic debridement in January to clean up scar tissue and bone fragments from a high-ankle sprain. Typically, the recovery time for this procedure is 4-6 weeks. However, it has been seven months since Taylor's surgery, and he has yet to pass a physical or step onto the field.

If Taylor continues to refuse to take another physical and insists that his ankle is not fully healed, the Colts could suspend him without pay for conduct detrimental to the team. This drastic action was taken against running back Eric Dickerson in 1991 and would likely sever the already strained relationship between Taylor and the Colts.

However, if Taylor wants to be traded or released from the Colts, he will need to get on the field and prove his abilities. In order to receive credit for an accrued season, he must be "physically able to perform by Week 6" and be activated to the roster during the regular season or postseason. If not, his contract will roll over into 2024, putting him in the same situation.

Additionally, Taylor does not have the option to hold out if he is activated from the PUP list. As he is under contract, he would face a fine of $238,888 for every game missed.

Although Taylor was not traded before the roster cut deadline, a deal could still be made before the official trade deadline on October 31st. In the meantime, there will likely be much speculation surrounding this ongoing saga.