Colts need to determine how Jonathan Taylor-centric they’ll be; he’s routinely run over the Texans

INDIANAPOLIS – When it comes to Jonathan Taylor, one question always seems pertinent.

How much is enough?

How do coach Shane Steichen and offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter determine how Taylor-centric the Indianapolis Colts needs to be? How heavily should they lean on the 2021 NFL rushing champion?

Taylor seldom offers direction.

“It does go from game-to-game,’’ he said. “Don’t count the reps, make the reps count.’’

OK.

But there’s an undeniable balance Steichen and Cooter must strike when determining how best to maximize one of the league’s difference-making running backs. Taylor possesses the vision, sharp-cut ability and acceleration to score from any spot on the field.

It might be his first carry or the fourth. The 10 ^th or the 15 ^th .

“It’s something we talk about a lot,’’ Cooter said. “We have these sort of unbelievable players, unbelievable athletes, and these guys are so special at what they do that a lot of times we want to really do everything we can to put them in the best position to have success. But you do have to be careful that we’re also looking at a 17-game season. We’re looking at trying to put a really good product out there every single week, go play good ball, win enough games to be in the discussion late in the year to play a few more than 17.’’

Player workloads must be considered, although that can be altered depending upon the magnitude of a game or how a game might unfold. If a defense is unable to deal with Taylor, keep giving him the football.

Consider this.

Taylor has averaged roughly 18 carries during his four-year career. But six times he’s handled at least 29 attempts, and the outputs have been staggering: a franchise-record 253 against Jacksonville as a rookie, 188 against Houston in week 18 last season, 185, 170, 161 and 143.

He’s averaged 183.3 yards per game and 6.0 yards per attempt in those heavy-load games.

And consider this. He’s routinely gouged the Texans. In six appearances – the Colts are 4-1-1 in those games – Taylor has averaged 135.2 yards per game and 6.5 per attempt. After rushing for 91 and 83 yards against Houston as a rookie, he’s gone off for 145, 143, 161 and 188.

In the Colts’ week 18 win-and-in playoff showdown with the Texans in Lucas Oil Stadium, Taylor carried 30 times for 188 yards. Four of his top-10 yardage games have come against Houston.

The Colts are 13-2-1 when Taylor rushes for at least 100 yards and 13-6-1 when he has at least 20 rushing attempts.

It’s week 1 and there’s a lot on the line as the Colts look to establish themselves as a legitimate threat in the AFC South. But it’s a long season.

“We’re going to go sort of one at a time but keep the big picture in mind as we try to put this thing together,’’ Cooter said.

Adding to Taylor’s threat is the return of dual-threat quarterback Anthony Richardson. The No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 draft missed the final 12 games of his rookie year with a sprained right shoulder.

Richardson rushed 10 times in each of the two starts he was able to finish last season and collected 96 yards and two TDs. Before exiting the week 2 win at Houston with a concussion, he exploited the Texans for 35 yards and two TDs on three rushes.

“Two explosive players in the backfield,’’ Steichen said.

The anticipation last season was quickly snuffed out.

Taylor missed the first four games while finishing his rehab from ankle surgery and finalizing a three-year, $42 million extension. He returned for the week 5 meeting with Tennessee, which coincided with the game Richardson suffered the season-ending injury.

They were on the field for two snaps.

Taylor and Richardson have had the offseason, training camp and preseason to mesh. The objective moving into 2024 in terms of nurturing that chemistry and relationship?

“Really No. 1, just building it with actual in-game play,’’ Taylor said. “I think that’s going to be the biggest thing. But it’s going to be awesome to finally be able to build that. I know we had those limited snaps last year, so it’s going to be awesome to finally start to build that with actual in-game reps.’’

You can follow Mike Chappell on Twitter at @mchappell51 .

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