Watch the Indianapolis Colts tackle the New England Patriots in Frankfurt, Germany stay on Sky Sports NFL from 1.30pm Sunday, with kick-off at 2.30pm; the San Francisco 49ers then face the Jacksonville Jaguars from 6pm adopted by the Detroit Lions at Los Angeles Chargers
Last Updated: 11/11/23 6:10pm
Neil Reynolds sits down with Jonathan Taylor forward of the conflict between the Indianapolis Colts and the New England Patriots
Neil Reynolds sits down with Jonathan Taylor forward of the conflict between the Indianapolis Colts and the New England Patriots
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor says his delayed begin to the season felt “like a car crash” as he seems to be to take one other step back in direction of prime type in Sunday’s conflict with the New England Patriots in Frankfurt.
Taylor agreed a three-year, $42m contract extension with the Colts in early October having spent the primary 4 video games of the season on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) checklist.
His return got here after a difficult offseason that had seen him request a commerce on July 29 amid stalled negotiations heading into the ultimate yr of his rookie deal, all whereas persevering with his restoration from offseason surgical procedure on the ankle damage that ended his season in Week 15 final yr.
The 2021 dashing chief finally made his seasonal debut within the Week Five victory over the Tennessee Titans.
“It’s amazing when you can get back to doing what you love after being removed from it for an extended period of time,” Taylor informed Sky Sports NFL’s Neil Reynolds. “Not solely doing what I really like however doing it with who I really like, we work day in, day trip.
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“It’s a shock to the physique if you first get back, it is virtually like simulating a automotive crash and it is like ‘I have not felt that shortly’.
“After you recover from that first week your body adapts and you start to feel better. You can’t simulate it. There’s nothing like an actual game of football, you just prepare the best you can.”
Taylor has since shared time within the backfield with Zack Moss, who sits second within the league with 615 dashing yards alongside his 5 landing runs as one of many brilliant spots in Shane Steichen’s offense.
His return has eased the burden considerably on Taylor’s return, the 2020 second-round choose nonetheless but to break 100 yards in a recreation this season.
“It’s been about having that communication with him, so when he’s out there and rips off a big run he can come back to the sideline and I’ll ask ‘what run was that, how did they play it?’,” Taylor added.
“To have that communication and to bounce off each other, when you go into the game you have a pre-determination so you can attack it a certain way.”
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Neutrals, analysts and people affiliated with the Colts alike drooled on the prospect of Taylor and quarterback Anthony Richardson spearheading Steichen’s multi-layered RPO system.
Those optics had been placed on maintain till subsequent yr as rookie first-round choose Richardson was required to bear season-ending shoulder damage.
In the meantime, Taylor is tasked with laying the foundations for his team-mate’s eventual return, which means rediscovering the rhythm that noticed him cube rival defenses in his second yr.
“No 1, it’s a very instinctive position,” he mentioned of the running-back place. “But if you want to take it to the next level and become one of those elite and legendary backs, they all have a game plan.
“They all watch the tape all week and perceive their opponent and know in the event that they play quick or gradual, so you’ll be able to manipulate the tempo towards sure schemes.”
Neil Reynolds, Jason Bell and Dante Hall could not help but dance along as the Frankfurt crowd all joined in a rendition of, Take Me Home, Country Roads
The Colts arrive into Sunday’s game sitting 4-5 following last weekend’s 27-13 win over the Carolina Panthers, fuelled by two pick-sixes from Kenny Moore II. For their opponents, questions continue to loom over the future of head coach Bill Belichick as his Patriots enter with an AFC-worst record of 2-7.
It marks the final international game of the season on the back of last weekend’s thriller between the Kansas City Chiefs and Miami Dolphins and three consecutive London games.
“It’s going to be surreal, to be in a position to play the sport we love in a foreign country and present the followers how a lot we love the sport, how critically we take it,” said Taylor.
“Being in a position to entertain the followers goes to be a surreal second.”
Join Neil Reynolds, Phoebe Schecter and Jason Bell for build-up from 1.30pm forward of kick-off at 2.30pm in Frankfurt, stay on Sky Sports NFL.
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