Story by
Jonathan Taylor Is Playing, but Justin Walley's Injury Leaves the Colts Short at Corner
- Story by
- Jonathan Taylor Is Playing, but Justin Walley's Injury Leaves the Colts Short at Corner
Jonathan Taylor is playing Sunday for the Indianapolis Colts, trade deadline chatter and all. Shane Steichen said Friday that Taylor and Josh Downs will play their usual roles in Jacksonville, according to IndyStar's Nathan Brown.
The two players who won't make the trip to EverBank Stadium are cornerback Justin Walley (knee) and receiver Anthony Gould (concussion), both ruled out by Steichen , per FOX59's Mike Chappell. Cornerback Sauce Gardner (calf) and tight end Tyler Warren (groin) are good to go.
Advertisement
That's a net gain for an offense that needs Warren. It's a real problem on the other side of the ball.
Colts lose a starting corner against Trevor Lawrence
Indianapolis Colts cornerback Justin Walley (27), Indianapolis Colts Jacob Phillips, and Indianapolis Colts defensive end Desmond Little (78) watch from the field Tuesday, June 10, 2025, during NFL Colts mandatory mini camp at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center in Indianapolis.Grace Hollars/IndyStar-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Walley has been on the field every week, with 35 tackles, two forced fumbles and three pass breakups in seven games. Losing him matters more against a Jaguars offense that ranks fourth in dropback EPA, and Trevor Lawrence has 14 touchdown passes and just four interceptions, as we laid out this week .
Advertisement
Gardner's return softens it. He has four pass breakups in six games, though his first full season in Indianapolis has drawn criticism, and his contract keeps coming up as the Colts sell off veterans. Charvarius Ward and Cam Taylor-Britt are the other options outside.
Warren is back after missing two games, and he's been Daniel Jones' most reliable target when healthy with 30 catches for 213 yards and two touchdowns in five games. Downs leads the team with 307 receiving yards. Steichen said he talked with Downs after the trade request and asked him to be a pro and handle his business, according to ESPN's Stephen Holder, and Downs is ready to go .
Taylor is still the engine. He has 587 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on 140 carries, even after the Colts traded Quenton Nelson to Seattle and left a hole at left guard. With his own trade future still a topic around Indianapolis, Sunday could be one of his last chances to carry a 2-5 team.
Advertisement
Indianapolis Colts Essentials
More on the Indianapolis Colts
This story was originally published by Athlon on Oct 30, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
