Jonathan Taylor’s Replacement Zack Moss Allegedly Fractures Arm During Practice @ Colts Camp
Jonathan Taylor’s Replacement Zack Moss Allegedly Fractures Arm During Practice @ Colts Camp
The drama of the Indianapolis Colts’ running backs has taken another twist.
According to NFL Network’s Mike Garofolo, backup running back Zack Moss fractured his arm at training camp on Monday.
According to Colts insider Mike Chappell, Moss slammed his helmet to the ground after suffering the injury during a morning practise and needed assistance from trainers. According to sources, he will be out for six weeks.
Moss’ injury comes as Colts starter running back Jonathan Taylor is still negotiating a new contract.
Taylor allegedly demanded a trade last week during a meeting with team owner Jim Irsay. “We’re not trading Jonathan…. end of discussion,” Irsay texted NFL Network. Neither now nor in October!”
Taylor, an All-Pro and the NFL’s rushing champion in 2021, is owed $4.3 million this season on the final year of his four-year rookie contract. He’s asking for an extension that would pay him significantly more per year. The Colts have declined to extend his contract.
Irsay is embroiled in a social media feud with elite NFL running backs who are lamenting the position’s lack of relative financial security after Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs, and Tony Pollard all failed to sign long-term agreements during the offseason.
Meanwhile, Dalvin Cook, a four-time Pro Bowler, is still a free agent after being released by the Minnesota Vikings.
Taylor’s agent retweeted Irsay’s post, stating that Irsay is “not paying your top offensive player.”
Over the weekend, the disagreement heated up. The Colts are considering placing Taylor on the non-football injury (NFI) list, which would allow them to withhold his whole 2023 pay if he remained on the list during the season, according to Chappell.
According to the article, Taylor’s designation is connected to a back ailment he suffered while working out in Arizona.
Taylor began training camp on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, which had no bearing on his pay.
Taylor is rehabbing from offseason ankle surgery related to a last-season injury. If Taylor is found to have suffered an injury away from the team that is not related to football, the NFI designation may be invoked.
This would allow the Colts to withhold his payment in 2023 and carry over the remaining $4.3 million of his contract to the 2024 season, when Taylor is seeking a raise.
Taylor denied experiencing or reporting any back pain on Sunday night.
As long as Taylor is out, Moss is expected to be the Colts’ primary ball carrier. Last season, the Colts acquired Moss in a midseason trade that sent then-backup running back Nyheim Hines to the Buffalo Bills.
His injury is expected to keep him out until the start of the regular season. The Indianapolis Colts kick off their season against the Jacksonville Jaguars on September 10.
