HOUSTON – The New England Patriots are tapping into a player with experience with the Texans and two other NFL teams.
In advance of an AFC divisional round showdown with the Texans at Gillette Stadium, the Patriots are signing former Houston defensive end Darrell Taylor to their practice squad, per a league source.
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Taylor was waived Monday to create a roster spot for rookie safety Jaylen Reed, who was activated and started against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Obviously, Taylor has knowledge of the Texans’ defensive playbook. However, that isn’t why a team signs a player usually. That’s an added benefit, of course. Primarily, though, the Patriots added Taylor because they like his talent and skills.
Taylor now joins the Patriots after previous stints with the Chicago Bears and Seattle Seahawks.
Taylor was activated last week from injured reserve-designated for return after recovering from an ankle injury. He has been limited to four games this season with three tackles and zero sacks due to the injury. Taylor excelled during the preseason, displaying speed and moves as a pass rusher.
In the offseason, Taylor was signed to a one-year, $5.25 million deal.
The deal included a $2 million signing bonus, a base value of $4.75 million, a $2.25 million base salary, $250,000 in incentives, up to $500,000 in per game active roster bonuses at a rate of $29,411.
Taylor is a former Seattle Seahawks second-round draft pick.
He joined the Chicago Bears via a trade last season in exchange for a 2025 sixth-round draft pick.
Taylor (6-foot-4, 267 pounds), has recorded 126 tackles, 24 1/2 acks, 25 tackles for losses, 43 quarterback hits and seven forced fumbles.
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com