Colts HC Frank Reich wants increased workload for star RB Jonathan Taylor

The Indianapolis Colts have improved to 5-5 on the season by winning four of their last five games, thanks largely to the efforts of star running back Jonathan Taylor. According to ESPN stats, Taylor is tied with Tennessee Titans ball-carrier Derrick Henry for the league lead with 937 rushing yards as Henry works to recover from foot surgery that has him out indefinitely, and Taylor is averaging 5.8 yards per carry with nine rushing touchdowns across his 161 total attempts. 

Colts head coach Frank Reich admitted to SiriusXM NFL Radio on Thursday he wants his key playmaker even more involved in the offense moving forward as Indianapolis prepares to play at the 6-3 Buffalo Bills this Sunday. 

"Jonathan Taylor is just an amazing player and person. Right now the workload that he's getting, we don't feel like he's overworked," Reich explained, per Nick Shook of the league's website. "In fact, a lot of people are telling me I should give him even more than we are. We give it to him somewhere around 18 to 20 times a game as far as carries and then try to target him in the pass game a good bit, too. I'd like it to build. I'd actually like it to increase." 

Reich continued: 

"He's a phenomenal player. He's gonna get the bulk of the carries. Nyheim Hines, our No. 2 back, is gonna play, he's gonna be the guy that takes the next number of reps. Marlon (Mack), I think the world of Marlon. I think Marlon's a really good running back and should be playing more than he is. But you can't justify it with the way Jonathan Taylor is playing." 

Along with potentially cruising toward the rushing title, Taylor has also accumulated 29 receptions for 303 yards and an additional score. 

Reich and company have a playoff berth well within reach, especially if Taylor manages to exceed his previous production over the campaign's second half.