The Indianapolis Colts confront a familiar tightrope with Jonathan Taylor entering 2026. Last season, the 27-year-old running back logged a league-high 323 carries, including 32 in an overtime win over Atlanta where he gained 244 yards and scored the walk-off touchdown. Coach Shane Steichen admitted he never considered removing Taylor during that decisive drive — "he was rolling" — but the organization acknowledges the workload is unsustainable. Taylor has now posted three 300-carry seasons since 2020, matching only Derrick Henry for the most in that span.

Durability concerns are real despite Taylor's meticulous conditioning. He missed 13 games across 2022-23 before playing 31 of 34 games the past two years. The Colts want to reduce his touches — Taylor handled 73.1% of Indianapolis' rushing attempts last season, the NFL's highest share — believing a fresher back could be even more efficient. Running backs coach De Andre Smith said finding complementary backs would make Taylor "that much better."

The search for help has yielded little. Since Zack Moss departed after 2023 (794 yards that year), no backup has topped 159 rushing yards in a season. Fifth-round pick DJ Giddens managed just 26 carries as a rookie. Sixth-rounder Seth McGowan arrives with optimism but minimal draft capital. Meanwhile, Taylor — entering the final year of his three-year deal — insists he improves as games wear on. He's already the franchise's rushing touchdown leader (69) and sits second all-time with 7,598 yards, trailing only Edgerrin James.

The Colts' playoff ceiling hinges on Taylor's availability. History suggests 300-carry seasons accelerate decline at the position, yet Indianapolis lacks a proven alternative. If McGowan or Giddens can't absorb 8-10 carries weekly, Steichen will again lean on his star until he breaks — a strategy that wins games in November but risks January.