​Colts running backs coach DeAndre Smith made it clear that Indianapolis intends to tread carefully with Jonathan Taylor’s workload this season, insisting that the team “definitely needs to find ways to take some of that workload off” its star running back. Head coach Shane Steichen also acknowledged the obvious challenge, noting that Taylor is tough to remove from the field when he’s running well. Both statements can be true at once: the Colts should aim to protect Taylor over the long haul of a grueling season, especially given how central he has been to the offense in recent years. Yet this is still one of the league’s elite running backs, and if Indianapolis wants to win important games, Taylor must remain the focal point of the attack.
The numbers behind the concern are telling. In 2024, Taylor logged 303 carries and 321 total touches across 14 games, averaging 21.6 carries and 22.9 touches per contest. In 2025, he played all 17 games and totaled 323 carries with 369 touches, averaging 19.0 carries and 21.7 touches per game. Across his career, Taylor’s 17-game average stands at 314 carries, 38 receptions, and 352 total touches—a workload that’s substantial for any back, particularly one who has anchored the Colts’ offense since entering the league.
This ties into the broader “running back wall” discussion. As I noted last offseason, Taylor’s total touch count is creeping toward the zone where long-term wear becomes harder to ignore. That doesn’t imply an imminent drop-off, but it does mean the Colts should be thinking in terms of more than just one season. Taylor remains exceptional, but running backs have a limited number of high-volume years before the risk of decline climbs.
That’s why a reduction in workload makes sense in theory. The challenge is how the Colts execute it without sacrificing what Taylor brings to the table. They can’t remove him from games simply to appear prudent. If it’s third-and-short, late in a tight contest, or a pivotal AFC South matchup, Taylor needs to be the option—he’s still the most capable player to control a game, finish drives, and ease the offense for Daniel Jones.
A smarter approach is situational management. Avoid overusing Taylor early in the season when the game script doesn’t demand it. Don’t saddle him with unnecessary fourth-quarter carries in games that are already decided. Don’t force 25 touches against lesser opponents if the rest of the offense isn’t functioning. Bring in another back to soak up carries between the 20s, handle a series here and there, and keep Taylor fresh without compromising the snaps that matter most.
That balance is the key. The Colts shouldn’t turn Taylor into a committee back, but they should structure his workload so that his heaviest usage occurs in the moments that matter most. If they can achieve that, they won’t weaken the offense; they’ll maximize Taylor’s impact when it truly counts. In doing so, they’ll position their best offensive player to be at his peak as the season’s pivotal games approach.