Colts: Jonathan Taylor proves how much of a team player he is with Marlon Mack comments

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 13: Marlon Mack #25 of the Indianapolis Colts is tackled by Tre Herndon #37 of the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first quarter at TIAA Bank Field on September 13, 2020 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 13: Marlon Mack #25 of the Indianapolis Colts is tackled by Tre Herndon #37 of the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first quarter at TIAA Bank Field on September 13, 2020 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /
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Colts running back Jonathan Taylor had some powerful comments about injured teammate Marlon Mack.

The Indianapolis Colts’ upcoming matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars this weekend has many fans recalling their humbling season-opening loss to them, which really looms large when you consider that they now need help from other teams in order to qualify for the playoffs.

Perhaps the biggest storyline in the aftermath of that game was the loss of Marlon Mack, who went down for the year with a torn Achilles. Though the Colts were able to pick up wins without him, his absence shortly proved his overall value to the offense as Jonathan Taylor struggled mightily after assuming No. 1 duties.

It quickly became evident that not having Mack around the facility had a negative impact on Taylor and he had some eye-opening comments about how devastating it was hearing that his contract year was over before it really even started.

As if fans in Indianapolis needed any more reason to fall in love with Taylor, right?

It stinks admitting this, but Mack’s injury was almost a blessing in disguise for Taylor (and the Colts). After all, handling the majority of the carries allowed him to confront his rookie wall head on and overcome it just in time for the stretch run.

Over the last five games, the 2020 second-round pick is averaging 97.6 rushing yards per game on an impressive 5.6 yards per attempt. To put his emergence into perspective, his 488 yards during that stretch is 60 more than what he compiled across the first nine games combined.

For Taylor to admit that watching Mack limp off the field and ultimately be told that his year was over was the toughest moment of this season when it really paved the way for him to become a workhorse proves just how much of a team player he is. What more could the Colts want from their supposed running back of the future?

We don’t want to get ahead of ourselves, but comments as powerful as these indicate that the Wisconsin product, if everything falls into place, has the requisite qualities to become a team captain down the road.

In the meantime, however, let’s hope that Taylor does right by Mack and goes out and absolutely pummels the Jaguars on Sunday.