With Jonathan Taylor out, Broncos may run into a familiar face
The Denver Broncos saw their chances of defeating the Indianapolis Colts go way up when star running back Jonathan Taylor was ruled out for the contest.
Jonathan Taylor, arguably the best running back in the NFL, will miss the game against the Broncos due to an ankle injury. Had the game been on a Sunday, he may have been able to go, but the short week made it difficult.
Broncos fans won’t complain.
But that news could open the door for a former Broncos running back to face his former team. Phillip Lindsay, an undrafted running back who had back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in Denver, is currently sitting on the practice squad of the Colts. In fact, I suggested the Broncos consider bringing him back following the season-ending injury to Javonte Williams.
The Broncos instead decided to raid the practice squad of the New Orleans Saints, bringing in Latavius Murray.
Lindsay could easily be called up from the practice squad for this game as the only running backs on the Colts’ active roster at the moment are Nyheim Hines and Deon Jackson. It was a bit of a surprise that Lindsay did not make the 53-man roster in Indy this summer, but Jackson beat him out due to his ability on special teams.
If Lindsay were to get that shot, he would return to the stadium where he was one of the most popular Broncos in recent memory. He was let go ahead of the 2021 season when the team decided that free-agent signing Mike Boone was a better overall fit.
Since then, Lindsay has bounced around the league, spending time with the Houston Texans and Miami Dolphins before signing with the Colts this past offseason.
It will be interesting if Lindsay is made active for this game. While it could easily be inconsequential, as Broncos Insider Mike Klis points out, the last time the Broncos had a Thursday night game, two star running backs (Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt) were both ruled out and some guy name D’Ernest Johnson broke off a 146-yard rushing performance against them.
Johnson only has one other 100-yard game in his entire career.