Jonathan Taylor Returns to Colts Practice, Says He’s Working toward a Championship, amid Trade Demands

All-Pro running back Jonathan Taylor returned to Indianapolis Colts practice this week after spending the first four weeks of the season on the Physically Unable to Perform list as he recovered from offseason ankle surgery.

On Thursday, he spoke to reporters for the first time this season to address his return following the injury and the offseason rift he had with Colts management over his current contract that led to a trade request.

"I've been around," Taylor said. "Like I said, the No. 1 goal was for me to get 100 percent healthy."

Taylor began negotiating a contract extension with the Colts this offseason and his agent, Malki Kawa, hinted that Indianapolis was negotiating in "bad faith."

On Aug. 21, the Colts granted Taylor permission to seek a trade after not extending him. More than a month later, Taylor is still a Colt and will play without a contract extension if he suits up this season.

"Like I said, I'm here right now," Taylor said. "And my No. 1 thing is to take care of my teammates. A lot of people worry about what I want. ... It doesn't matter necessarily what I want. What matters is what this team needs, what this team wants, what this city wants and what this city needs. What the city needs is a championship. While I'm here that's what I'm going to work my tail off to do. That's what I worked my tail off to get the opportunity to do."

Taylor is eligible to return for the Colts in Week 5 against the Tennessee Titans as the two teams battle for first place in the AFC South.