INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Colts would like nothing more than to treat Jonathan Taylor to a football feast on Thanksgiving weekend.

The running game has been the hallmark of Indianapolis’ offense since 2018 when Marlon Mack and an emerging offensive line paved the way for a 9-1 finish to the regular season and a surprising wild-card berth. Since then, the personnel has changed, but the fortunes of the franchise have mirrored the success — or lack thereof — of the ground attack.

Unfortunately for the Colts (5-7), the running game has been dryer than day-old turkey over the past month. Indianapolis has failed to reach the 100-yard rushing mark in three of the last four weeks, and star running back Jonathan Taylor has averaged just 2.7 yards per carry over the past two games.

Taylor ran for 114 yards on 21 carries against the Buffalo Bills on Nov. 10, but 80 yards came on two attempts. It’s a reminder of the necessity of patience with the rushing attack.

“You know that (the opportunities are) going to come,” Taylor said. “It’s far and few, especially with some of the better run defenses, but you know that there’s always — there’s a slip. There’s a break in the foundation somewhere always. You gotta be ready to capitalize on those. Those are usually the plays that turn into big plays.

“But staying patient even throughout the game, just understand, ‘Hey, maybe we just try to churn out some of these 3-yard runs into 4-, 6-yard runs here and there. And then, when those mistakes happen, when the defense lifts up, being able … to be patient and be ready for that moment because that’s when you have to take advantage of that opportunity.”

There could be a few more opportunities Sunday against the New England Patriots (3-9).

Opponents have rushed for at least 100 yards eight times this season against New England, and the Patriots rank 18th in the 32-team NFL in total rushing yards allowed and 12th with an average of 4.3 yards allowed per carry.

But New England has surrendered an average of just 81.7 rushing yards over the last three games.

And Indianapolis again is preparing for changes along a banged-up offensive line.

Third-string center Danny Pinter is likely to make the eighth start of his career, with backup Tanor Bortolini in the league’s concussion protocol and starter Ryan Kelly (knee) still on injured reserve.

There’s also some question about whom will start at right guard, with undrafted rookie Dalton Tucker struggling seven weeks after stepping in for injured Will Fries (broken fibula).

Head coach Shane Steichen is confident the run game can be revived regardless of who is creating the holes up front.

“I’ve got faith and trust in everyone we put out there,” Steichen said. “It’s our job as coaches to put those guys in position to succeed. That’s what we looked at heavy this week, looking at ways to get that run game going with JT.

“It was a huge point of emphasis this week for us. So we’re looking forward to the challenge through this week.”

Quarterback Anthony Richardson rushed for a career-high 61 yards on 10 carries in last week’s 24-6 loss against the Detroit Lions, but Taylor was held to just 35 yards on 11 attempts.

Penalties wiped out 97 yards of total offense — including 74 in the passing game — but the lack of a consistent run game was the next biggest factor in the offense’s inability to find the end zone.

Getting the ground attack revved up again could go a long way toward restarting the Colts’ playoff push.

“I think it shuts us down a little bit whenever we can’t do what we want to do,” Richardson said. “We know we want to pass the ball. We know we want to run the ball because we have a good running back over there. So whenever we can’t get that guy rolling, it’s a little tough for us as an offense, but we just have to find a way to make it work.

“Whether that’s up front or even (if we) just need zone reads or just even the play called — just got to find a way to make it work.”

INJURY REPORT

Left tackle Bernhard Raimann (knee) graduated to full participation in Thursday’s practice, and tight end Mo Alie-Cox (ankle) was added to the report as a full participant.

There were no other status changes for either team.

Wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (back) and Tucker (knee) were full participants. Bortolini, wide receiver Josh Downs (shoulder), wide receiver Ashton Dulin (ankle), wide receiver Alec Pierce (foot) and right tackle Braden Smith (not injury related) did not practice.

The Patriots did not practice Thursday.

Defensive tackle Christian Barmore (not injury related), wide receiver Demario Douglas (ankle), safety Kyle Dugger (ankle), defensive tackle Daniel Eukale (elbow), linebacker Christian Elliss (knee), linebacker Anfernee Jennings (knee), offensive tackle Vederian Lowe (shoulder), safety Jabrill Peppers (knee), defensive tackle Jaquelin Roy (neck), offensive guard Cole Strange (knee), linebacker Sione Takitaki (knee), defensive end Keion White (knee) and defensive end Deatrich Wise (foot) were listed as limited.