Colts confirm Jonathan Taylor will play full game against Cowboys

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor will maintain his standard workload in Sunday's game against the Dallas Cowboys. Head coach Shane Steichen stated on Wednesday that the team is not protecting the Pro Bowl selection from injury. The Colts are currently two weeks away from the NFL trade deadline, a period that often prompts teams to manage risk for their top assets.

The decision comes after a turbulent stretch for the franchise. General Manager Chris Ballard was dismissed two weeks ago. Last week, the team traded long-time teammates Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner for draft picks. These moves signaled a shift in the organization's direction. Team co-owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon appears prepared to rebuild for the following season.

Taylor carried the ball eight times in the previous week's 42-7 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. That total represented a notable drop from his previous season low of 15 carries. It also tied for the fifth fewest carries in his seven-year professional career. Despite the reduced volume, Taylor expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming contest.

"I think there's a lot of stuff out there right now, but he's on our football and he's excited for this opportunity to play," Steichen said. "He wants to go win this game. There's a lot of hypotheticals out there on the trade talks right now, but he's on our football team."

The 27-year-old Taylor finished third in the league for rushing yards in 2025 and currently ranks fifth in the category. He has urged his teammates to focus on the present rather than speculate about the franchise's future. "Teams are going to look at us even more, foaming at the mouth," Taylor said following the Jacksonville game. "Your back is against the wall, what are you going to do?"

The Colts have already made a move to secure their roster for 2027. Defensive tackle Adetomiwa Adebawore signed a two-year contract worth $35 million. The deal includes $22 million in guarantees and a $13 million signing bonus. Adebawore has matched his career high with four sacks this season. "I wanted to be here, so Carlie came up to me and we went through the negotiations," Adebawore said.

The organization is looking to clear salary cap space and accumulate draft capital. The Colts do not hold a first-round pick in 2027. That selection was sent to the New York Jets last November for cornerback Sauce Gardner. Wednesday marked the one-year anniversary of that transaction. The Colts were 8-2 when Gardner arrived but have since lost 13 of their last 15 games.

Quarterback Daniel Jones remains the starting signal caller. He is eligible for trade with one year left on his $88 million contract. Steichen has not indicated a desire to change the starter despite turnover concerns. Receiver Josh Downs, who requested a trade last week, is expected to face his brother Caleb Downs, a safety for the Cowboys, on Sunday.