The Colts are trying to get Jonathan Taylor rolling, but the star back isn’t panicking over a quiet start. Through five games, Taylor is sitting at 3.9 yards per carry and hasn’t topped 100 rushing yards in 11 months, yet he made it clear the bigger picture still drives him.
“It’s still early and obviously everyone wants to come out the gate fast, similar to how we did last year,” Taylor said, via ESPN’s Stephen Holder. “But, like I mentioned, it’s a long season. It’s a very long season.”
Indianapolis running backs coach DeAndre Smith pointed to the looks Taylor is seeing as part of the issue, saying opposing fronts have made life tougher on him.
“When you don’t have to blitz and you can just play four guys up front, and do a lot of damage, then that keeps seven people back,” Smith said. “You’re trying to maneuver through several layers of a defense.”
The Colts also may be without receiver Alec Pierce for a while longer. He is not expected back at practice next week and could miss a few more weeks, according to Pelissero.
In Jacksonville, Trevor Lawrence had high praise for Parker Washington, calling the wideout one of the league’s best and making it clear the Jaguars view him very differently than the outside world does.
“ We consider him an elite wide receiver, so I don’t know what everybody else thinks, but we feel like he’s pretty freaking good,” he said, via Jags Wire. “ I think that’s what’s important: what we believe in our team and the faith and trust that I have in him, that our whole team has in him.
That’s really all that matters. Everybody else on the outside will learn.
It doesn’t really matter what other people think. ”
ESPN’s Dan Graziano also noted that Brian Thomas Jr. remains a name other teams are watching closely, even though Jacksonville still isn’t interested in trade discussions. He has moved down the depth chart in the Jaguars’ passing game, but the team still values what he brings as a downfield threat.
In Houston, Marvin Harrison Jr. discussed his new start with the Texans and the chance to line up again with C.J. Stroud.
“ I think it’s just a combination of everything. I can’t pinpoint one thing.
I think the team as a whole, it’s great for me, great situation for me being with C.J. [Stroud], ” Harrison said, via Texans Wire.
“ Being with a quarterback that you have rapport with and had success with in the past is always great, too. Being around Nico [Collins], being around a bunch of other guys, I think just everything in totality is going to make the best situation for me.”
In Other News...
Texans Move Raises Early Questions About Houstons Linebacker Plans
The Texans have already made an early roster decision on rookie linebacker Aiden Fisher, releasing the seventh-round pick from the 2026 NFL Draft after a brief stint in Houston. Fisher arrived with a strong college resume after playing a key role on Indianas national championship team, but his first taste of the NFL was limited to three games and one solo tackle.
For a defense that has been sorting through its linebacker depth, the move is a reminder that draft status alone does not buy much time. Fisher is now subject to waivers, and his exit leaves Houston with another question to answer as it continues shaping the middle of its defense heading into the next stretch of roster moves. [Read more 🡒]
Texans Head To London With A Roster Problem They Cant Ignore
The Texans are heading to London for their matchup with the Jaguars at Wembley Stadium carrying more than just the usual travel questions. Houston is dealing with a roster situation that could shape both sides of the ball, with running back David Montgomery ruled out and safety Jalen Pitre among the key players listed questionable.
Woody Marks is expected to shoulder a bigger load in the backfield with Montgomery unavailable, while the secondary could feel the strain if Pitre cannot go. There is some relief for Houston, though, with Azeez Al-Shaair and Trent Brown both back to full participation, giving the Texans a little help as they try to sort through a week that has put their depth to the test. [Read more 🡒]
Texans Get A Key Defensive Boost Ahead Of Jaguars Game
The Texans made a few roster moves ahead of their Week 6 trip to face the Jaguars, and the biggest one was getting Henry TooToo back on the active roster. The starting weak-side linebacker had missed the past four weeks with a shoulder injury, so his return gives Houston a needed boost on defense as it prepares for a divisional game with plenty on the line.
Houston also elevated Bryce Hall and Jawhar Jordan from the practice squad for the matchup, while moving on from seventh-round rookie Fisher and undrafted defensive back Collin Wright from the 53-man roster. The shuffle adds some short-term flexibility for the Texans, but the attention is on how quickly TooToo can settle back in after his time away. [Read more 🡒]
