Colts' Taylor hoping to return in 2-3 weeks after thumb surgery

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor will undergo thumb surgery on Wednesday, team owner Jim Irsay told The Athletic's James Boyd.

Taylor, who suffered the thumb injury during Sunday's win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, is hopeful he can return in two-to-three weeks.

The 2021 Pro Bowl halfback was apparently hurt in the first half of Sunday's game and continued to play during the second half. Taylor rushed for 91 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries in the win.

With Taylor sidelined, the Colts presumably will lean on Zack Moss. He leads Indianapolis with 672 rushing yards to go along with seven scores, the result of Taylor missing the first four games of the season while on the PUP list with an ankle ailment.

Taylor's absence is a serious blow to a Colts offense that already lost rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson for the season. Indianapolis (6-5) is currently among the contenders for a playoff spot in the AFC.

Taylor requested a trade in July following a meeting with Irsay about a new deal. The Wisconsin product ultimately signed a three-year, $42-million contract extension in October. He became the third-highest-paid player at his position, earning an average annual salary of $14 million.

The 5-foot-10, 226-pound halfback has tallied 414 yards and four scores while averaging 4.1 yards per carry. He was the league's rushing champion in 2021, racking up 1,811 yards and 18 touchdowns on the ground.

The Colts visit the Tennessee Titans in Week 13 before another road matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals.

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