Colts' Jonathan Taylor shares new answer about possible trade request, plans to play vs. Cowboys

Arguably the most-discussed football-related story of the week has been whether or not a 2-6 Indianapolis Colts team in the middle of a fire sale will part ways with star running back Jonathan Taylor before the NFL trade deadline arrives at 4:00 p.m. ET on Nov. 10. 

Days before the Colts suffered an embarrassing 42-7 Week 8 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, Taylor insisted that he had not requested a trade. While Taylor is on track to play when the 2-6 Colts host the 3-5 Dallas Cowboys this coming Sunday, he sang somewhat of a different tune when asked about a possible trade request on Thursday.

Jonathan Taylor on trade rumors, request: "The hay is in the barn now"

"At this point, the hay is in the barn now," Taylor said, as shared by James Boyd of The Athletic. "We’re preparing for the Dallas Cowboys. We got a home game. After last week, nothing else matters. We've gotta give these fans a win. We got to put out a great premium product. Can't be what we put out last week." 

Taylor's latest answer could lead one to believe he thinks a trade is inevitable. As recently as Thursday morning, it was thought that the New York Giants, Green Bay Packers, Denver Broncos, Seattle Seahawks, Cincinnati Bengals and Minnesota Vikings were the most likely landing spots for Taylor were he to be traded. 

However, it was then revealed "that some in league circles are wondering whether the" San Francisco 49ers "could make a play for" the 27-year-old. Taylor signed a two-year contract extension this past summer, so the Colts could keep him as part of a roster restructuring. 

Jonathan Taylor: Trade rumors are just "noise" now

"It's kind of been dragging on for a while now," Taylor added about the constant rumors regarding his future, per Mike Chappell of Fox59/CBS4 Sports. "So at this point, it just becomes noise. It's been like three or four, however many weeks. So, it's like regular scheduled programming."

Taylor also insisted he will "cherish" playing in another Colts home game. It remains to be seen whether that will be the last time he takes the Lucas Oil Stadium turf as an Indianapolis player.