Why limiting Jonathan Taylor’s workload needs to be smart, not automatic

Posted by Admin July 12, 2026 NFL

Colts running backs coach DeAndre Smith made it clear that Indianapolis wants to be careful with Jonathan Taylor’s workload this season, saying the team “definitely need to find ways to take some of that workload off” its star running back. Shane Steichen also acknowledged the obvious challenge, noting that Taylor is difficult to take off the field when he is running well.

Both things can be true; the Colts should want to protect Taylor over the course of a long season, especially given how much he has carried the offense in recent years. At the same time, this is still one of the best running backs in football, and if Indianapolis wants to win important games, Taylor has to remain the centerpiece of the offense.

The workload numbers explain the concern. In 2024, Taylor had 303 carries and 321 total touches in only 14 games. That works out to 21.6 carries and 22.9 touches per game. In 2025, he played all 17 games and handled 323 carries with 369 total touches, averaging 19.0 carries and 21.7 touches per game.

Over his career, Taylor’s 17-game average sits at 314 carries, 38 receptions and 352 total touches. That is a massive workload for any running back, especially one who has been the focal point of the Colts’ offense since entering the league.

This also connects to the bigger running back wall conversation. As I wrote earlier last offseason, Taylor’s total touch count is climbing into the range where the long-term wear becomes harder to ignore. That does not mean he is about to fall off immediately, but it does mean the Colts should be thinking beyond one season. Taylor is still great, but running backs only have so many high-volume years before the decline risk grows.

That is why reducing his workload makes sense in theory. The problem is how the Colts do it.

They cannot take Taylor off the field just for the sake of sounding responsible. If it is third-and-short, late in a close game, or a crucial AFC South matchup, Taylor needs the ball. He is still the player most capable of controlling a game, finishing drives and making the offense easier for Daniel Jones.

The smarter plan is situational management. Do not overuse Taylor early in the season if the game script does not require it. Do not give him unnecessary fourth-quarter carries in games that are already decided. Do not force 25 touches against weaker opponents if the rest of the offense is functioning. Find another back who can steal carries between the 20s, handle a series here and there, and keep Taylor fresh without taking away the snaps that matter most.

That is the balance! The Colts should not be trying to turn Taylor into a committee back, but rather they should be trying to make sure his biggest workloads come in the biggest spots. If they can manage that, they are not weakening their offense. They are giving their best offensive player a better chance to be at his peak when the season matters most.