The Colts have been pleased with the progress Jonathan Taylor’s made since Marlon Mack’s injury threw him headlong into the fire.

“He’s done everything that he needs to do,” Indianapolis running backs coach Tom Rathman said. “It’s just about getting experience. The more he gets, the better he’s going to be.”

Taylor's numbers have been pretty good the past four games the author pointed out. The rookie is the one keeping the rushing attack afloat right now, according to the story. Taylor has rushed 54 times for 244 yards over the past four games, a 4.5-per-carry average that dwarfs the rest of the running game. Over the same four-game span, backups Jordan Wilkins and Nyheim Hines have produced just 107 yards on 39 carries, an ugly 2.7 yards per carry. Despite fumbling issues in college and not being known as a pass catcher, Taylor hasn't fumbled this season and is third on the team in receptions.

Even with Marlon Mack out, the presence of Jonathan Taylor, Jordan Wilkins (40 yards on nine carries Sunday) and this Colts offensive line, the five guys up front that have set the tone for this team ever since that turning point back in 2018.

These Colts are going to Run the Damn Ball.

They’ve got the horses to do it.

Related players: Nyheim Hines

The story said the Colts are looking to find their identity and running the ball could be it. One thing to note his Week 1 star Hines wasn't really involved in Week 2, catching just one ball for four yards. Instead it was Wilkins who was the backup to Taylor with his 9-40-0 line. For Taylor owners, Wilkens may end up being the handcuff to own with Hines playing more of a passing-down role.

Marlon Mack tore his Achilles during Sunday’s loss to the Jaguars, which leaves Jonathan Taylor set to take sole possession of that spot.

“Jonathan’s ready. He’ll step up and do a good job,” Colts head coach Frank Reich said on Monday, via George Bremer of the Anderson Herald Bulletin.

Related players: Nyheim Hines, Jordan Wilkins

Taylor ran nine times for 22 yards and caught six passes for 67 yards on Sunday. Hines rushed seven times for 28 yards, caught eight passes for 45 yards and scored a touchdown each way. Wilkins is also on hand as well the story said, but it looks like Taylor could claim the a lot of the touches lost with Mack's injury.

Indianapolis Colts running back Marlon Mack has a torn Achilles, a source tells ESPN's Mike Wells.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Sunday that the Colts feared Mack suffered the torn Achilles in their season-opening loss to the Jaguars.

Related players: Jonathan Taylor, Nyheim Hines

Mack suffered the injury after catching an underneath pass in the second quarter Sunday. He immediately grabbed his ankle, got up and took off his helmet before waving for assistance from the Colts' sideline. Taylor and Hines should continue to to split up most of the workload, each had 15 touches in Week 1. Hines stole the show a bit, though, collecting a rushing and receiving TD. Hines is expected to at least continue to have a role in the passing game.

Marlon Mack's promising 2020 might already be over.

Mack is feared to have suffered a torn Achilles during Sunday's 27-20 season-opening loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero and Mike Garafolo reported.

Related players: Jonathan Taylor, Nyheim Hines

Colts coach Frank Reich confirmed Mack had an Achilles injury and would get an MRI on Monday. Mack played just 11 snaps, gaining 26 yards on four carries before exiting with the injury. He was carted to the locker room after making a three-yard catch during the second quarter. The injury really clears the way for Taylor to take on a major role in the running game. However it was Hines who ran for 7-28-1 and also caught eight balls for 45 yards and a TD. Taylor was equally involved with with a 9-22-0 rushing line and added six catches for 67 yards.

Jonathan Taylor’s not going anywhere.

The only question is how many touches he will get. Marlon Mack is still alive and kicking and the Colts still see him as the starting tailback. But it will be a shared workload, and Taylor can increase his opportunities based on his performance.

Related players: Nyheim Hines

The writer said Taylor has shown to be more physical than advertised, and also could be a help in the passing game. He added Taylor is off to a fast start so far. Mack will still be a factor and Hines will likely get his share of passes, but Taylor is a guy to grab in fantasy drafts.

It won’t just be Nyheim Hines. It will be a lot of Nyheim Hines. Maybe even primarily Nyheim Hines. But the rest of the Indianapolis Colts running back room is going to get heavily involved in the passing game with Philip Rivers at the helm. That much was made clear Monday at Lucas Oil Stadium during the first of two dress rehearsals the Colts planned in lieu of a traditional preseason.

Related players: Jonathan Taylor, Marlon Mack, Phillip Rivers

The story said it wasn't just check-down passes either, there were wheel routes. Hines led the way among backs with seven receptions Monday. But Taylor added five (with a drop), while incumbent starter Mack added a pair of his own. The Colt RBs have all stood out in camp so far. Taylor could end up passing Mack for the lead back, but Mack has done nothing so far to lose the job it seems.

Prized Colts rookie Jonathan Taylor has been an impressive specimen in training camp and Nyheim Hines has been incredibly active in the passing game.

But forgetting about the returning 1,000-yard rusher in Indianapolis would be a mistake.

Marlon Mack put an exclamation mark on a strong training camp so far by taking over for a brief stretch at the team’s Lucas Oil Stadium practice, the longest and heaviest practice of camp.

Mack took advantage of some huge holes, the story said, but either way, we still have Taylor as the back to own. We rank Taylor 21st with Mack coming in at 46th. Mack may start out as the main back, but we think the writing is on the wall when it comes to Taylor, who the team traded up to get this past spring.

During his media availability, Colts RB Marlon Mack said rookie RB Jonathan Taylor is, " going to be a beast. Teams should be aware of him. Just wait," said Mack. Mack also said that Taylor having a role will help keep him fresh and add years to his career.

Mack praising Taylor is no surprise, as well as a veteran response. The two appear to be be headed into a true 50/50 workload, but also have passing down backs Nyheim Hines and Jordan Wilkins lurking.

The power was impossible to deny.

Jonathan Taylor in full stride in the open field, veteran safety Tavon Wilson bearing down on him, getting ready to deliver the blow.

Taylor only lowered his shoulders a bit, ever so slightly, and plowed into Wilson, the force of the blow blasting Wilson back and turning him to the side, Taylor absorbing the blow and continuing on his way.

Related players: Marlon Mack

Known for his game-breaking speed and knack for hitting a home run during his three seasons at Wisconsin, the Colts rookie has been showing off a complete game in the first two training camp days of his career, the kind that offers tantalizing possibilities to an Indianapolis offense that famously wants to Run the Damn Ball as much as possible, the story all said. Taylor is ranked 22nd on our RB list and continues to get positive press so far this offseason.