Nov 5, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Gardner Minshew (10) hands off to running back Jonathan Taylor (28) during the first quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Colts RB Jonathan Taylor could return Week 16

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor is close to being cleared to play after missing three games due to a thumb injury that required surgery.

Head coach Shane Steichen said Sunday that Taylor is progressing and has a chance to be in the lineup this weekend for a Christmas Eve game at Atlanta.

The Colts (8-6) won for the fifth time in six games, beating the Pittsburgh Steelers 30-13 on Saturday, and played for the seventh time this season without Taylor.

“We’ll see how the week goes,” Steichen said. “He’s feeling good though.”

Taylor was injured during a Nov. 26 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and underwent surgery three days later.

After missing the first four games of the season due to a contract standoff and an ankle injury, Taylor has amassed 414 rushing yards and four touchdowns in seven games (five starts) this season. He also has 16 catches for 137 yards and one score.

Taylor has 5,194 yards from scrimmage and scored 41 touchdowns in 50 career games (46 starts). Taylor, 24, was the NFL rushing champion with 1,811 yards in his second season in the league.

Taylor’s return would be well-timed after backup running back Zack Moss exited Saturday’s win over Pittsburgh in the first half with an arm injury. Lead wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. also left following a vicious helmet-first hit that led to the ejection of Steelers safety Damontae Kazee.

Steichen said Sunday that Pittman is in the concussion protocol and is doing “good,” but wasn’t pleased after reviewing the hit again on film.

“It probably shouldn’t happen. He led with the crown of his helmet, and you never want to see that,” Steichen said.

–Field Level Media

Aug 20, 2022; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA;   Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (14) catches the ball during pregame warm-up before the game against the Detroit Lions on Saturday, August 20, 2022 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Mandatory Credit: Grace Hollars-USA TODAY Sports

Colts LB Shaquille Leonard, WR Alec Pierce out vs. Jaguars

Indianapolis Colts linebacker Shaquille Leonard and rookie wide receiver Alec Pierce have been ruled out of this weekend’s road game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, coach Frank Reich said Friday.

Leonard, who underwent back surgery in the offseason, missed the Colts’ 20-20 tie to the Houston Texans last Sunday.

Reich, however, said the three-time Pro Bowl selection was making progress after being a full participant in practice on Wednesday and Thursday. The Colts held a walkthrough on Friday.

Pierce sustained a concussion during the season opener. The second-round pick did not practice Wednesday and was listed as a limited participant in the following day’s practice.

Per Reich, wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (quadriceps) will be listed as questionable on the injury report.

Pittman sat out practice on Thursday, four days after reeling in nine catches for 121 yards and a touchdown in the season opener.

Cornerback Kenny Moore II (hip) and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner (hip) will be listed as questionable on the injury report, Reich said.

–Field Level Media

Sep 27, 2020; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman (11) catches the ball while New York Jets cornerback Pierre Desir (35) defends in the second half at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Colts activate WR Pittman from injured list

The Indianapolis Colts activated wide receiver Michael Pittman from the injured reserve list on Saturday, in time for their game against the Lions in Detroit on Sunday.

In a corresponding move, the Lions waived WR Daurice Fountain.

The Colts selected Pittman, a product of Southern California, in the second round (No. 34 overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft. He sustained a leg injury in Week 3 that required surgery.

Pittman played in the first three games (one start) of the season and caught nine passes for 73 yards. He finished his USC career 12th on the Trojans’ career receptions list with 171.

Fountain started the season on the practice squad and was moved the active roster on Sept. 16. He had two receptions for 23 yards. The Colts selected him in the fifth round of the 2018 draft.

–Field Level Media