It has been quite the offseason for running back Jonathan Taylor. He held out from the Indianapolis Colts, who refused to trade him, put him on the PUP list and then gave him a three-year contract extension. However, through two games back, Taylor has just 14 total carries. The Cleveland Browns are expecting a heavy workload from Taylor this week, however.
Speaking to the media, head coach Kevin Stefanski said he is aware of the Colts’ rushing attack and anticipates an uptick in carries for Taylor:
“I think they have multiple guys. They can put a bunch of guys in there. [We] have a ton of respect for Jonathan Taylor, and we do anticipate that his workload increases as the games go on here,” Stefanski said. “But they have multiple guys that can hurt you with the ball in their hand.”
The Browns, however, field a top-10 defense against the run this season in terms of Expected Points Added per play. They won on first and second down a week ago against the San Francisco 49ers to put their league-best passing defense in great position.
This Sunday, they will look to contain Taylor on first and second down and force backup quarterback Gardner Minshew to beat them with his less-than-ideal arm.
