The Patriots reportedly signed ex-Texans edge rusher Darrell Taylor to their practice squad Wednesday, and Taylor is a candidate to be elevated for Sunday’s divisional-round playoff game against Houston.
Taylor has a history of pass-rushing production, but dealt with a major ankle injury that limited him to four game appearances during the regular season. He totaled just three tackles for Houston before landing on injured reserve in November. Taylor recovered from the injury in time to practice on Dec. 17 and be activated to the Texans’ 53-man roster last week, but received his release on Monday so the team could make roster space for the return of safety Jaylen Reed.
Taylor, a second-round pick in 2020, entered the league in Seattle, where he posted 6.5 sacks during his second season and a career-high 9.5 sacks and four forced fumbles the following year in 2022. After another season as a rotational pass rusher in Seattle, he landed in Chicago for a year, where his production declined and led him to a 1-year flier contract with the Texans last spring in free agency.
