Colts to play Jonathan Taylor against Cowboys despite trade deadline rumors

The Indianapolis Colts will play starting running back Jonathan Taylor against the Dallas Cowboys this Sunday, despite swirling trade rumors surrounding the star player.

Coach Shane Steichen confirmed the decision on Wednesday, stating that the team is not trying to protect its top asset from injury. Taylor is scheduled to take the field in the final regular season game before the NFL trade deadline next week.

The Colts are 2-6 this season. Taylor carried the ball eight times in last week's 42-7 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. That is the lowest carry count of his career since a 15-carry game at Pittsburgh last season and ties for the fifth fewest in his seven-year NFL career.

Trade speculation has intensified following the firing of general manager Chris Ballard two weeks ago. The team also traded defensive ends Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner for draft picks last week. Taylor, who is 27 years old, urged his teammates to focus on winning the current game rather than worrying about the franchise's future.

"Your back is against the wall, what are you going to do? You’re going to have to fight your way out of a corner," Taylor said after the loss in Jacksonville. He finished third in the league in rushing in 2025 and is currently fifth this year.

The Colts have already made one move for the 2027 season by re-signing defensive tackle Adetomiwa Adebawore. He signed a two-year contract worth $35 million, with $22 million guaranteed and a $13 million signing bonus. Adebawore has four sacks this season, matching his career high.

The team's direction remains unclear as owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon appears focused on collecting draft picks and shedding salary cap space. The Colts do not have a first-round pick in 2027, a result of trading that selection to the New York Jets for cornerback Sauce Gardner last November. The team is 2-13 since that trade, including a loss where fans chanted "Fire Ballard!" at the stadium.