Colts’ Jonathan Taylor Excused from Training Camp for Personal Matter
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor is once again absent from the team’s training camp, but this time it is reportedly unrelated to his contract standoff. The Colts announced that Taylor has been excused from camp due to a personal matter, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.
“Jonathan Taylor returned to Indianapolis to continue his rehab. However, he had a personal matter arise. He is not currently with the team, and his absence is excused,” stated the Colts.
This latest absence comes after Taylor reported to training camp on July 25 and requested a trade just four days later following a meeting with Colts owner Jim Irsay. Although Taylor is eligible for a contract extension as a third-year player, the team has declined to engage in any discussions regarding his contract.
The situation has not shown signs of improvement since then, with reports suggesting that the team is considering withholding Taylor’s entire 2023 salary by placing him on the non-football injury list. Taylor’s agent, Malki Kawa, expressed doubts about salvaging the relationship between Taylor and the Colts in a recent statement on Twitter.
Meanwhile, Taylor has been dealing with an ankle injury he suffered earlier this year, undergoing surgery in January. He has been diligently rehabbing and returned to camp on Monday, only to be excused shortly after due to personal matters.
With more than three weeks remaining until the Colts’ season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars on September 10, Taylor’s availability for the game remains uncertain. If he is unable to suit up or decides not to, the Colts will likely turn to a running back group led by Deon Jackson and the recently signed Kenyan Drake.
The Colts and Taylor’s camp still have some time to resolve their differences and come to a resolution. However, it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold and whether Taylor’s absence from training camp will impact his role on the team moving forward.
Source: [NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo](https://twitter.com/MikeGarafolo/status/1691931942931812386?s=20), [ESPN](https://twitter.com/malkikawa/status/1684625972497178624)
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