The Colts dynamic duo isn’t working out as planned.
The vision isn’t matching reality as neither player can stay on the field.
Pick your poison.
That is what the Indianapolis Colts envisioned when they drafted Anthony Richardson to go along with their stud running back, Jonathan Taylor. Defenses would be forced to either load the box to stop Taylor or play a more traditional set and leave running lanes open for Richardson when plays broke down. On paper, the vision was beautiful. In reality, it actually looks a lot like the Colts had planned. The problem is, neither player can stay healthy and their time together on the field has been greatly reduced.
As we approach the halfway point of the 2024 season, the two stars on offense have rarely suited up to take the field at the same time. While Taylor nursed an ankle injury, Richardson was battling his own injuries while working his way through the beginning of his rookie season. Week five was the first game back for Taylor from IR. As fate would have it, that was the last game Richardson played in 2023 as a shoulder injury kept him out the remainder of the season. It was an incredibly quick glimpse into what could be.
Fast forward to 2024, and we are seeing more of the same. Through the first six games, both players have missed some to all of three contests. That’s 50%… Neither player could finish the Steelers game with Richardson failing to make it through the first quarter. Missing Jacksonville and Nashville nearly cost the Colts two games. Richardson is supposedly on track to play against the Dolphins, but Taylor has not been practicing. His status is most likely headed for OUT. You can have all the talent in the world on your roster, but it doesn’t do any good on the bench. It reminds me of Tony Dungy’s quote, “The best ability is availability.”
Fans are desperate to see these two together for an extended period of time. Each player takes the pressure off the other and increases the other’s ability to excel. We saw how special Jonathan Taylor could be before Anthony Richardson, but that has been a few seasons ago. Each player needs the other to maximize their output. Richardson needs a reliable back to take the weight of the offense off his shoulders. It looks like he will have to carry the offense this week with Taylor on the shelf. Hopefully, Richardson can play and stay healthy against the Dolphins so we have a chance to see both players next week. If not, who knows if we will ever get to fully see what this duo can achieve.
