Jonathan Taylor, the preseason consensus overall No. 1 pick, had a solid Week 1 but struggled in the next three weeks and sat out Weeks 5 and 6. In a week filled with the absence of high-scoring fantasy options, fantasy managers are hoping for a healthy Taylor to take on Tennessee and their 18th-ranked rush defense. So will the 23-year-old stud RB return in Week7? Or will fantasy managers have to make do off the scrap heap for one more week? Here is what we know.
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Jonathan Taylor off injury report, will play Sunday
According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, RB Jonathan Taylor is off the Colts’ injury report and will play after his second full practice this week.
Fantasy Impact
Taylor missed weeks 5 and 6 with injury but will be good to go and receive his usual workload, presumably. Taylor averages over 20 rushing attempts per game this season, and even if he’s fallen somewhat short of his lofty expectations, is reliable to be a great start every week. His ground game will likely be needed to take down a surging Titans team.
- Jonathan Taylor ‘anticipated’ to return Sunday
- Jonathan Taylor (ankle) a full participant in Thursday’s practice
- Jonathan Taylor (ankle) practicing in full Wednesday
What the Experts are Saying
Taylor has practiced in full all week. Consider him to be back to 100%. Taylor has averaged 22.6 touches and 93 total yards this season as the RB20 in fantasy points per game. Taylor’s explosive efficiency last year hasn’t shown up consistently in 2022. He’s 28th in yards after contact per attempt, 39th in breakaway rate, and 21st in PFF’s elusive rating (minimum 20 carries). He hasn’t rushed for over 100 yards or finished with over 100 total yards since Week 1. The last time he faced Tennessee, he only mustered 42 rushing yards on 20 carries. Taylor remains an RB1 this week based on projected workload and volume, but the matchup is tough. Tennessee has allowed the lowest rushing success rate in the NFL. They also have limited opponents to the fifth-fewest rushing yards and eighth-lowest rush EPA. The sliver of hope for Taylor is that his ability to break off long runs is renewed with the time off. For all their run defense prowess, the Titans are also 29th in open field yards and 22nd in explosive run rate allowed. If Taylor can reinvigorate memories of his 2021 season, he could surprise here.
-Derek Brown
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