The day that many Colts fans thought would never come after some end-of-summer bristling appears to be on the horizon.
Running back Jonathan Taylor, with his long-range future in Indianapolis still cloudy, will be activated for an epic return Sunday against the Tennessee Titans, as his "questionable" designation was lifted early on Saturday afternoon.
Everything about Taylor's absence was questionable, from his late-summer trade request to the ankle injury that conveniently coincided with his holdout. Saturday afternoon marked the all-clear and a line in the sand, though. Whatever the future holds, JT is ready to fulfill the 2023 Colts' destiny and confirm just how far their surprisingly frisky start can go.
Savor these Taylor/Anthony Richardson games while you can.
#TENvsIND injury update: The Questionable designation for RB Jonathan Taylor (ankle) has been lifted. https://t.co/IV0egszoC2
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) October 7, 2023
Colts Injury Report for Week 5 vs Tennessee Titans: Jonathan Taylor activated
The news isn't all sunshine and returns for the Colts. Impactful defender Kwity Paye and powerhouse tackle Bernhard Raimann remain under wraps, battling concussions. Only Raimann practiced in any sort of limited fashion this week, so it was no great shock that neither player was cleared.
Shaq Leonard, too, continues to nurse a groin issue. He will miss this contest as well.
Taylor's return, with waived running back Jake Funk as the resulting casualty, is the day's biggest development by far, though.
The star RB reiterated at a press conference this week that he is committed to the Colts "right now," certainly the bare minimum for a team that's hoping for a more definitive relationship repair in the future. But Indy's "right now" is also fairly exciting, and Richardson's roster just received a major boost in a fight for the wide open AFC South.
The Texans look more prepared for battle than most though. The Jaguars have a star under center, even though the rest of the roster might be lacking. And the Titans continue to muck it up with everyone they play. Taylor will help. It's not worth worrying about the rest until after the final whistle.