Stop Jonathan Taylor or Nothing Else Matters in Indy

Titans fans have heard every fix in the book this week. Here's the simplest one: if Jonathan Taylor gets loose on Sunday, 0-6 is coming.

Our Take: This game gets decided on first and second down. The defense has to make Indianapolis one-dimensional before Cam Ward and the offense can even think about a bounce-back.

Per Titans.com's Jim Wyatt, linebacker Cedric Gray said Thursday the key is "stopping him, and slowing him down, and keeping him from getting to the second level," and "taking care of the run game on the early downs." Wyatt notes Taylor has 510 scrimmage yards and nine touchdowns in his last three meetings with Tennessee. Gray, who led the team in tackles a year ago, is playing less this season: he logged 28 snaps against Houston while Cody Barton played 64 of 66 and rookie Anthony Hill Jr. has regularly played every defensive snap. Gray said he has to "continue to be better in practice" and stay ready.

The injury report had some good news. Tony Pollard and John Franklin-Myers practiced in full, Amani Hooker (concussion) was upgraded to full, and cornerback Joshua Williams was a full participant as the team weighs activating him from injured reserve. Tyjae Spears (knee) and Kevin Winston Jr. (quad) did not practice.

What to watch Sunday: early-down run defense, whether Williams gets activated, and whether Pollard gives Ward a run game to lean on. Titan Up.

Sources: [Titans.com, Quick Hits From Thursday of Colts Week](https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/quick-hits-on-the-titans-from-thursday-of-colts-week-x9236), [Music City Miracles](https://www.musiccitymiracles.com/tennessee-titans-news/67282/tennessee-titans-news-cam-ward-eyes-bounce-back-vs-colts)