Indianapolis Colts fans had their season end in gut-wrenching fashion Saturday against the Houston Texans.
The Texans led the Colts 23-17 with just over a minute left at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind. The winner of the Week 18 contest determined which of the two teams was moving on to the playoffs.
With their season on the line, the Colts were facing 4th-and-1 at the Texans’ 14. Quarterback Gardner Minshew threw an iffy pass to running back Tyler Goodson, who ended up dropping what would have been a first-down catch. The Texans held on for the 23-19 win.
The season-ending drop had fans on social media asking the same question: where was Jonathan Taylor? Indy’s star running back wasn’t even on the field during the critical play.
It’s criminal that Jonathan Taylor was not on the field with the game on the line on
4TH & 1… What was Steichen thinking?OH WAIT, HE PROLLY WASN’T#HOUvsIND pic.twitter.com/NiSWB9FUJG
— Mike McDonalds (@MikMcDonalds) January 7, 2024
Several spectators on X expressed their bewilderment as to why Colts head coach Shane Steichen didn’t think to use Taylor.
I don’t understand how the Colts take Jonathan Taylor out the game for the most important play of your season.
And After an off-season of begging for more money, I don’t understand how Jonathan Taylor allowed himself to be taken out the game.
— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) January 7, 2024
#Colts fans driving home thinking about that 4th down play where Jonathan Taylor was not in the game pic.twitter.com/pBRDqTarZI
— Hammer and Nigel (@hammerandnigel) January 7, 2024
Taking Jonathan Taylor off the field on 4th & 1 to throw to Tyler Goodson with the season on the line…is a choice.
— Kyle Yates (@thekyleyates) January 7, 2024
The Colts really took Jonathan Taylor out of the game on fourth-and-1 to throw to Tyler Goodson in the flat with the season on the line 😭😭😭
What dreams (nightmares) are made of pic.twitter.com/qfXwABTvmj
— Kate Magdziuk (@katemagdziuk) January 7, 2024
The Indianapolis Colts taking Jonathan Taylor out on 4th and 1 with the season on the line, wasting a time out with just over a minute to play, and … pic.twitter.com/3zCY1eMg7V
— Pete Fiutak (@PeteFiutak) January 7, 2024
Taylor was ripping the Texans to shreds during Saturday’s contest. The Colts rusher had 30 carries for 188 yards and 1 touchdown on the ground. He also caught 2 passes for 8 yards.
Taylor did suffer a lower leg injury and was deemed doubtful to return during the contest. But he was able to come back in the fourth quarter and even converted on a huge first-down run before the two-minute warning.
Jonathan Taylor just picked up a 3rd and 5 while playing through an ankle injury that had him listed as doubtful a few minutes ago.
Never pay running backs, amirite?#Colts#ForTheShoe#Texans#HOUvsIND pic.twitter.com/TQlwOaZrQy
— Chris Shepherd (@NFLscheme) January 7, 2024
Instead, the Colts targeted their third-string running back in Goodson who had yet to make a catch all game.
