“Suspend the player”- Colts RB Jonathan Taylor’s goal line fumble draws wild reactions on social media

Some on social media argue the Colts should hold RB Jonathan Taylor accountable for his pre-endzone fumble that cost them a touchdown.

“Suspend the player”- Colts RB Jonathan Taylor’s goal line fumble draws wild reactions on social media

Jonathan Taylor dropped ball before crossing end zone (Image via ESPN/X)

Jonathan Taylor must remember that he is a leader in the Indianapolis Colts locker room, so he must avoid making careless mistakes. The star running back cost the Colts a touchdown in Week 15.

In the third quarter, from the first and ten, Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson handed the ball over to Taylor, who made a few Denver Broncos defenders miss before getting clean on goal. He ran the length of the field and walked the ball in the end zone without any restrictions.

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However, the referee overturned the touchdown and called it a touchback to the Broncos. Taylor and Richardson watched in utter shock as the Broncos took over possession.

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Why didn’t the referee award Jonathan Taylor and the Colts a touchdown?

The Colts led the Broncos by six points courtesy of Richardson’s 23-yard rushing touchdown in the first quarter. They were all set to increase the deficit further with Taylor running squat free to the Broncos’ end zone.

Suspend the player- Colts RB Jonathan Taylor's goal line fumble draws wild reactions on social media
Colts RB Jonathan Taylor during Texans game (Image via ESPN)

The All-Pro running back celebrated with his teammates, but the sideline official was busy speaking with the on-field referee. After a long chat, they overturned the touchdown and deemed Taylor released the ball before entering the end zone. It resulted in a Broncos touchback.

Due to the call, Taylor was discredited from a 41-yard touchdown run, and the Colts missed the chance to increase their lead. Earlier in the day, Bengals defensive back Jordan Battle repeated the same mistake while returning a fumble recovery. The New York Jets fans still have nightmares of rookie Malachi Corley similarly dropping the ball earlier in the year.

The Colts went into the game with very little chance of qualifying for the playoffs, unlike the Broncos, who occupy a wild card spot. It has been a topsy-turvy season for the Colts with Richardson unable to produce the numbers. Before playing the Broncos, he threw 7 touchdowns and 9 interceptions and was benched for Joe Flacco midway through the season.

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Taylor, on the other hand, is among the few bright sparks in the team who remain consistent despite dropping balls before a touchdown. The Wisconsin graduate leads the team with more than 800 rushing yards and five touchdowns.

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