Can you kind of sum up, put in perspective with where you started in training camp to now? A lot has happened but the way it ended and so forth – how has it transpired?
"Man, it's been a journey. To be able to finally step back out on the field today, with my brothers – that was a good feeling, it's been a while and just trying to get the feet wet, get back into it. The NFL is a physical game, so just being able to work yourself back in. It felt great. I don't know anybody who says this, but it felt great getting hit just because you haven't felt that."
What was the emotion like running out of the tunnel and just hearing the reception from everybody?
"It was awesome. We got the best fans in the whole United States, really the world. We got the best fans in the world. Just to hear them scream and roar coming out the tunnel when all we're doing is doing what we love – that's priceless."
What can you say about your running mate, Zack Moss, and his performance today?
"You guys see. One, I just don't know how he keeps hitting that spin move. I got to add that into my repertoire. You see how dynamic he is, he's a tough runner and then you guys saw today – he's got breakaway speed, too. Don't sleep."
Got the deal done, got the extension done – can you take us through what that means for you and what led to the deal?
"It means a lot. Just to be able to know that I'm going to be here playing for the best fans in the world, playing with some of the best players in the world and just know that it's a family atmosphere here. Like I said from day one after my first season – I always wanted to retire a Colt. To be able to take another step towards that – it's amazing."
Like you said, it's been a long journey to this point – how much did that weigh on you, just the uncertainty of the past year of figuring out what your future is and where it is?
"It weighs a lot, especially when you're not healthy and you can't go out there and do what you love. It's tough. It pushes you and puts you in tough positions mentally. You got to have a good support system. My wife is a huge supporter of me and she's my rock. Being able to push through that and the rehab and then now finally being able to step back on the field, with a win, it's amazing."
Do you think this is a win for running backs as far as where you are viewed and the value you all have with people saying you're replaceable and things like that?
"I definitely think it is. Any time a running back can go out there and perform but also have some security, it just shows that running backs are essential. You guys saw it today, Zack Moss – just being able to lean on him in order to come out with the win. That last drive, I think we got the ball with eight minutes, 55 seconds left – it was a long drive. Kudos to Zack for being able to be that tough runner, for being able to take us down the field."
Business sometimes does get a little personal and this was a long road – other than just money, was there other things that happened to bring you guys back together and get on the same page to get everybody to work together?
"Yeah, No. 1 I think the big thing was – let's take a step back and look at what the No. 1 goal was. The No. 1 goal was always to get healthy. Once you clear that hurdle, there's a whole new door and plethora of possibilities. Like I said, just being able to grind it out - just grind it out through the entire offseason trying to get back healthy and just get my feet wet today. It was a good feeling; I'm really looking forward to next week."
The other day you said that you wanted to prove to yourself that you're healthy. I know that this was one game but were there moments like that? Was there a moment out there where you felt like you were yourself again?
"Yeah, especially that first play when you got a d-tackle tackling you for the first time since December 15th. You kind of know, 'Hey, I put in some solid work as the game progressed being able to just get a feel, more and more.' Attack this next week at practice and then I'm super excited for next week."
Did it hit you at all that it was the Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium – the same spot last year with the ankle? Did you think at all about that full-circle moment?
"This is the first – I didn't even think of that, that's crazy. I didn't even think of that. Wow, I was just so excited to be back out there that I didn't even think of that. That's wild. Thank you for bringing that up to me."
Jim Irsay said that Edgerrin James was instrumental in the mediation process – what did James say to you over the last few weeks?
"(Edgerrin) James has always been helpful. Just being able to lean on him. You look at the type of back he was – a legendary Hall of Fame running back so just being able to gather advice from someone who's done what you're trying to do, has walked that path – I think that was instrumental. I don't think that would be a smart move to not take somebody's advice who's already walked the same path as you."
What you're dealing with, you're in a public space and people can look up how much you make and how long you are going to be here – when you're viewed, sometimes, in such a transactional way how do you navigate that or keep the blinders on when you say, 'I think I'm worth whatever,' and then you have a ton of other people saying, 'I think this?'
"I think you got to lean on your support system – the guys inside of these walls. Every single day the guys are encouraging me and pushing, 'Hey, we can't wait to see you back out there.' That pushes me through my rehab process just knowing what that feeling was like running behind Quinton Nelson, Ryan Kelly – pass protecting for Anthony Richardson or Gardner (Minshew). Just being able to have that vision of what I want to be, and I want to be back out with my guys. That really took me through the rehab process."
You, Quenton Nelson, you can even go back to Marlon Mack – a lot of guys have contributed here to an identity of a power-run team that is tough to play. Are you getting back to that?
"100 percent. I think, when you have guys up front like we have – it's not, 'Hey, let's just run this play.' It's, 'No, hey – lets go run this play, let's dominate everybody that's across from us and let's go score.' When you have guys like that in front of you – I don't know what kind of person you could be but it's really hard to not give more than you even have, just try to empty the tank every single time."
Would you have played for the Colts again without a new contract?
"I think with the new contract – that doesn't even matter because being able to work through with Jim Irsay, Chris Ballard and the entire organization, the No. 1 goal was always to get healthy. I think that's where things got misconstrued at. Everybody was on the same page on, 'Jonathan (Taylor) needs to get healthy. Jonathan wants to get healthy; we want Jonathan healthy.' I think the fact that it was a little delayed, one is a big hit on myself because you just plan everything out after surgery and then it takes a little bit longer and you got to keep grinding, keep grinding, keep grinding. You don't know when you're going to come out of it, and you start to come out of it little by little each day. You start to do more and more and then you start progressing and then it leads you to this – a win in the division at home."
Was getting healthy the reason why you received an extension or feel like you've received an extension?
"I was going to say – feel like? I don't know. At the end of the day, it's always the organization's decision. Being able to put yourself in the best position is always the No. 1 thing you can do and for me, that was getting healthy."
You touched on this a little bit the other day that you want to get back to being that happy guy we see around – what has this week been like for you resetting the mood and seeing some happy things within these buildings again?
"It's been awesome. Like I said, finally being able to be on the practice field with my guys and hearing them speak in the huddle and those little encouraging things – fist bumps or, 'Let's go.' It's something that you miss. You miss very, very dearly. Now being able to be in the huddle on gameday, at home with the best fans in the world – it was a surreal feeling."
As you continue to work your way back and getting more snaps and we know what Zack Moss can do – how potent of a backfield do you think you guys can be?
"I think it can get really scary. I mean, and I think you guys got a taste – actually, not even today you guys got a taste, you guys have been getting a taste the past few weeks with Zack (Moss). Now, it's on me in order to continue to do my part and continue to help this team. That's what I'm going to do, every single day – grind inch by inch and we'll get there."
