Jonathan Taylor, set to make a comeback this weekend after a three-week absence, stands as a central figure in the Indianapolis Colts’ offensive playbook. The running back, recovering from thumb surgery, is noticeably absent from the Friday injury report, signaling his readiness for the Christmas Eve showdown against the Atlanta Falcons.



This return holds added significance when considering Jonathan Taylor’s remarkable career with the Colts. Since entering the league, Taylor has consistently showcased his extraordinary speed, agility, and ability to exploit opposing defenses.



His absence in the past three games, coupled with his expressed determination to test his thumb at full speed during practice, suggests that his return is both strategic and well-timed for Indianapolis’ dismantled offense.



<h2>The Significance of Jonathan Taylor’s Return for the Colts</h2>



Complicating the narrative is the questionable status of fellow running back Zack Moss for the Falcons game due to a forearm injury. Moss’s inability to practice throughout the week raises concerns about the team’s running back depth, amplifying the importance of Taylor’s return.



While the Colts managed to secure a victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers last weekend with Trey Sermon and Tyler Goodson, the resurgence of Jonathan Taylor is poised to be a game-changer. His career statistics underscore his pivotal role in the Colts’ offensive dynamics.



As the team readies itself to face the Falcons and their formidable defense, currently ranked 10th in yards allowed per game, the return of Jonathan Taylor not only marks a triumphant comeback but also rekindles the impact of a key player with a career defined by excellence on the field.

Jonathan Taylor's Triumphant Return for the Colts

Jonathan Taylor's Triumphant Return for the Colts - thesportsdrops NEWS

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When the Chiefs won their second Super Bowl in as many years on Super Bowl Sunday, the regular 2022 season of the National Football League was officially over. Planning for the offseason of 2023 has begun.



There were plenty of shocks in the <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nfl/nfl-how-much-does-the-super-bowl-mvp-winner-receive-20230211-SPD-3394.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2022 NFL season</a>, with seven of the league’s clubs have made the playoffs after not doing so the year before. The NFL’s parity is what makes the offseason so exciting. The following season will likely be quite similar, with clubs working hard to make the <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nfl/nfl-how-much-do-super-bowl-rings-cost-20230212-SPD-3400.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2023 NFL Playoffs</a> and gain ground on the underdogs who surprised in the postseason the previous year.



No one knows which clubs will acquire which highly-touted draft prospects in April, and no one knows which star players will be traded or signed as free agents. CBS Sports, however, have figured out which teams have the highest chance of making significant improvements in the next season.



<h2>3. Indianapolis Colts</h2>



With the fourth overall selection in hand, Chris Ballard will be in a great position to make a long-term commitment at quarterback. They are also returning to the familiar practice of swapping offensive coordinators with the Eagles, so regardless of which talent winds up on their radar – C.J. Stroud of Ohio State and Will Levis of Kentucky seem to be reasonable targets, provided Alabama’s Bryce Young is gone.



<h2>2. New York Jets</h2>



One area that is still up in the air is their offensive line. If the team adds a superstar quarterback like Aaron Rodgers or Lamar Jackson, then the new offensive coaching tandem of Nathaniel Hackett and Todd Downing would be interesting. This team could certainly win more games with a backup quarterback like Derek Carr or Jimmy Garoppolo than with their current starter.



<h2>1. Los Angeles Rams</h2>



The Rams had such a bad year in 2022 that Les Snead would consider selling in order to recuperate some much-needed assets for the remainder of Sean McVay’s tenure as head coach. Even though the Cardinals, 49ers, and Seahawks all have distinct but huge question marks at QB, it’s hard to assume they won’t be back in the mix with the McVay-Matthew Stafford combination returning and the O-line likely in improved health along with No. 1 wideout Cooper Kupp.

Top 3 NFL teams with most potential for improvement in 2023

Top 3 NFL teams with most potential for improvement in 2023 - thesportsdrops NEWS

The Colts made a big move in the offseason by trading for veteran <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nfl/nfl-news-russell-wilson-reacts-to-broncos-failed-field-goal-attempt-vs-seahawks-2746-20220914-SPD-2746.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">quarterback</a> Matt Ryan, who left Atlanta after 14 years. Carson Wentz failed to impress and, after only one year, Indianapolis decided to change the direction.



But so far, the former Falcons <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nfl/there-was-no-respect-there-ryan-fitzpatrick-reveals-why-tom-brady-annoys-him-2769-20220916-SPD-2769.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">signal-caller</a> got off to a slow start with his new team. The Colts’ season opener against the Houston Texans finished in a stalemate, but things got much worse the following week.



On Sunday, the Jacksonville Jaguars destroyed the Colts 24-0, limiting Ryan to just 16 of 30 passes completed, 195 yards and three interceptions. Even so, Frank Reich said the 37-year-old quarterback is not to blame.



<h2>Colts HC Frank Reich has Matt Ryan’s back after ugly Jaguars loss</h2>



“I mean the protection yesterday wasn’t our best effort. He was under duress a number of times,” Reich said, via ProFootballTalk. “There’s still mistakes that he made, that we all make, but I think overall — listen, I understand how the quarterback position is. You’re really dependent on everybody else on there, but you’re at the center of it so you have to make it work.



“What I love about Matt is that he takes responsibility. He’s the leader. I could not be happier that he’s our quarterback. He’s an elite leader and I really believe he can be an elite player in this offense. We’ve all got to pull it together. We all have got to carry our own weight, each one of us, including him and everybody on that offense.”

NFL News: Frank Reich doesn’t blame Matt Ryan for Colts’ early struggles

NFL News: Frank Reich doesn’t blame Matt Ryan for Colts’ early struggles - thesportsdrops NEWS

Announcing his retirement on Wednesday, <a href="https:\/\/news.thesportsdrop.com/nfl/colts-head-coach-frank-reich-sees-similarities-between-matt-ryan-peyton-manning-1513-20220614-SPD-1513.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Indianapolis Colts</a> starting strong safety <a href="https:\/\/news.thesportsdrop.com/nfl/how-many-nfl-teams-have-not-won-a-super-bowl-ring-in-their-history-97-20220502-SPD-97.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Khari Willis</a> said goodbye to the NFL. After starting 34 games over the last three seasons as an undrafted fourth-rounder, Willis announced the news on Instagram.



Halfway through his rookie season, Willis, the team’s fourth-round 2019 selection at strong safety, was promoted to the starting lineup. After playing in 39 games, he finished his career with 219 tackles and four interceptions.



The Colts have already made several <a href="https:\/\/news.thesportsdrop.com/nfl/nfl-attendance-history-what-is-the-highest-attended-game-of-all-time-136-20220502-SPD-136.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">offseason changes</a> at safety. Both Rodney McLeod and Nick Cross were taken in this year’s NBA draft with the 96th overall choice. Cross is expected to be the long-term starter in McLeod’s place, with the inside track going to McLeod.



<h2>What Khari Willis said of his NFL retirement</h2>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“I’d first like to thank the Indianapolis Colts organization for granting me the opportunity to compete in the National Football League the past three years,” Willis wrote in a statement. “I’ve built lifelong relationships with numerous teammates, coaches and support staff that have impacted me greatly. The lessons that I’ve learned in this phase of my life will be valuable for me in my next chapter. “With much prayer and deliberation, I have elected to officially retire from the NFL as I endeavor to devote the remainder of my life to the further advancement of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I thank all of my family, friends and those who have supported me on this journey thus far and I look forward to your continued support through the next phase of my life. I am both humbled and excited to pursue the holy call that God has for my life which brings me much joy and purpose. Thank you all for your support over the years.”<cite>Khari Willis via Instagram</cite></blockquote>

NFL News: Colts' Khari Willis calls it quits at age of 26 after just three seasons - thesportsdrops NEWS

NFL News: Colts' Khari Willis calls it quits at age of 26 after just three seasons

After more than a decade in Atlanta, <a href="https:\/\/news.thesportsdrop.com/nfl/nfl-rumors-falcons-interest-in-deshaun-watson-drove-matt-ryan-away-from-atlanta-360-20220504-SPD-360.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Matt Ryan</a> is preparing for his first season without the Falcons. The <a href="https:\/\/news.thesportsdrop.com/nfl/super-bowl-champions-list-of-all-time-winners-215-20220503-SPD-215.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Colts</a> didn’t like what they saw of <a href="https:\/\/news.thesportsdrop.com/nfl/carson-wentzs-honest-take-on-returning-to-philadelphia-to-face-eagles-for-the-first-time-755-20220513-SPD-755.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Carson Wentz</a> last year and went after the veteran quarterback this offseason. 



Ryan has a challenging job ahead of him. Not only he’s facing the task of leading Indianapolis back to the postseason, but also to prove that he can still be a starting quarterback in the NFL.



However, it seems that he already got off to a good start to life with the Colts. As a matter of fact, head coach Frank Reich has already drawn parallels between Ryan and legendary QB Peyton Manning.



<h2>Frank Reich says Matt Ryan has similar approach to football than Peyton Manning</h2>



“Matt’s an incredibly smart guy,” Reich told Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated. “But one of the things I’ve continued to be impressed by—he doesn’t want to expand things, he wants to consolidate things. It’s a little bit Peyton-esque like that. ‘Don’t try to overcoach, don’t get too cute, don’t try to overscheme, let’s just run the same things over and over again.’ That’s how I’ve been brought up in this league. 



“In an age where everyone wants to talk about how smart the coaches are, or the quarterback is, and all the ways that you can scheme, and do this and that … and those are all important things, (but) Matt is old school, and I’m a little bit old school like this, too.“

Indianapolis Colts

Jonathan Taylor's Triumphant Return for the Colts

Top 3 NFL teams with most potential for improvement in 2023

NFL News: Frank Reich doesn’t blame Matt Ryan for Colts’ early struggles

NFL News: Colts' Khari Willis calls it quits at age of 26 after just three seasons

Colts head coach Frank Reich sees similarities between Matt Ryan, Peyton Manning

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