Colts still waiting for sustained productivity from Anthony Richardson, Jonathan Taylor

INDIANAPOLIS – Maybe this week.

Maybe Sunday afternoon at Lucas Oil Stadium against the Miami Dolphins.

Maybe that’s when the Indianapolis Colts’ dynamic duo once again will share the backfield and represent one of those pick-your-poison threats.

Maybe that’s when Anthony Richardson and Jonathan Taylor rekindle the presence in the backfield that’s equal parts electric and intriguing that dominated the conversation when training camp opened in late July.

You could almost hear the creative gears whirling in Shane Steichen’s mind.

“It’s exciting because the playbook is open to everything,’’ he said as camp opened in Westfield. “You’ve got a quarterback that can do everything . . . then you’ve got Jonathan Taylor, who’s one of the best backs in the league. To have both those guys in the backfield is going to be critical for our success.’’

That was the day Steichen summarily dismissed the idea of limiting the run portion of Richardson’s game because of the risk of injury.

Remember that catchy response?

Are you going to limit Steph Curry from shooting 3-pointers?

“Well, that’s one of Anthony’s strengths, right?’’ Steichen said. “So, we’re not going to get away from that. That’s what he does well.’’

But as much as the Richardson/Taylor pairing is fascinating, the Colts have only seen glimpses of what could be.

Again, maybe they share the backfield Sunday, and the Dolphins must deal with a multi-dimensional quarterback and a running back who can crush the heart of a defense with any carry.

Richardson was a full participant in Wednesday’s practice and will start against Miami, barring a setback in the next few days. He’s missed the past two games after suffering an oblique injury in the first quarter of the week 4 win over Pittsburgh.

However, Taylor didn’t practice while continuing to rehab a sprained right ankle sustained in the fourth quarter against the Steelers. He’s now missed seven consecutive practices, not including the lighter work the Colts put in on Saturdays, and two games.

“We’ll see how the week goes,’’ Steichen said. “But he’s doing a lot better, a lot better.’’

There’s no question Richardson has made marked progress.

“As of now, I think I’m pretty good,’’ he said prior to practice. “We’re just making sure and hoping that when I am out there competing full speed at practice, nothing sets me back. So, that’s pretty much the only concerns right there – making sure I’m good throughout the week just running.’’

Much was made of Richardson being close to returning last week against the Tennessee Titans. He clearly was trending in that direction – he practiced all three days, including a full load on Thursday – but Steichen and the medical staff determined he wasn’t 100%.

More to the point, the oblique injury probably kept Richardson from comfortably handling the run/pass rigors he brings to the position.

“He’s a guy that touches the ball on every play and it’s a long season and it’s week 6,’’ Steichen said. “Wanted to make sure he’s feeling 100% before he was back out there. You want to have a long career in this league.’’

Richardson admitted it’s necessary for players – quarterbacks, whatever the position – to play through various injuries. Wideout Michael Pittman Jr. played in Nashville while dealing with a back injury, and came up with the game-winning 10-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter.

“You’ve just got to be smart,’’ Richardson said. “I mean, of course with injuries, you’re always liable to re-damage and get injured again. But somethings you’ve just got to be like, ‘I don’t care,’ because sometimes the team needs you to be out there. Like I said, if you’re able to do it without any major setback, then why not try to do it?’’

Is there a level of frustration with the fact he’s had limited opportunities to hone his on-field partnership with Taylor? They were on the field for two insignificant snaps in the week 5 game against Tennessee last season before Richardson suffered his season-ending shoulder injury, and have shared three-plus games this season.

“Some say it’s frustration,’’ Richardson said. “But I like to see it all as part of the process. It’s all part of the plan. So, God willing, if we are out there together, I know we’re going to dominate. We’re just trying to see when that time is coming. We know it’s going to come soon, so we’re not worried about it too much.’’

Partnership obstacles

Injuries have stunted the growth of whatever Richardson/Taylor can be.

Richardson has missed 15 of 23 games and finished only four of his eight starts. Blame a concussion, the sprained AC joint in his right shoulder and the oblique injury.

In 2021, Taylor started all 17 games and was on the field for at least 64% of the snaps in each of the final 12 games. He maxed out with a franchise record and NFL-leading 1,811 rushing yards and 18 rushing TDs. He also led the league with 2,171 yards from scrimmage.

But since then, Taylor’s career has moved in fits and starts. He has missed 15 of 40 games because of injuries to his right ankle and thumb surgery.

He missed six games in 2022, seven when you consider he played two snaps at Minnesota before the ankle injury sent him to the bench and soon thereafter to the injured reserve list. Last season, ankle rehab/contract issues and thumb surgery limited Taylor to 10 games and seven starts.

His absence always is a major blow to the offense.

“Yeah, I mean, he gives us the big play, home run in the run game with the explosiveness,’’ Steichen said. “He makes those plays. Hopefully we get JT back this week. It will be big for our offense.’’

By the numbers

As much as the Colts value Trey Sermon and Tyler Goodson as backups for Taylor, the drop-off without Taylor is dramatic.

In the four games he’s played, with Richardson of course, the run game has averaged 131.8 yards per game and 5.1 per attempt. Taylor averaged 87.3 yards per game and 4.8 per attempt, and generated consecutive 100-yard games at Green Bay and against Chicago.

In the past two games, the numbers plummet to 89.5 and 3.7, respectively.

And it’s really more stark than that.

Against Jacksonville and Tennessee, the Colts rushed 48 times for 179 yards. But that includes four explosive runs: Joe Flacco’s 21-yard scramble, a 17-yard run by Sermon and 33- and 17-yard runs by Goodson.

On the other 44 attempts, the Colts have averaged 2.1 yards; 2.06 to be more precise. Even with the 17-yarder, Sermon is averaging just 2.5 yards per attempt.

You can follow Mike Chappell on Twitter at @mchappell51 .

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