The Patriots are adding a veteran pass rusher to their playoff roster.
According to a source, the Patriots are signing edge rusher Darell Taylor to their practice squad with a chance to elevate him for this weekend’s AFC divisional matchup with the Houston Texans.
Taylor, 28, is a veteran of five NFL seasons, most recently playing with the Texans. The veteran signed a 1-year, $4.75 million contract with Houston this season, but landed on the injured reserve on Nov. 5 due to an ankle injury. He was activated last week, but was released on Monday as the Texans needed to make roster space for safety Jaylen Reed.
Two days later, Taylor is coming to New England as the Patriots prepare to play his former team.
A second-round pick in 2020, Taylor had immediate success in the NFL with the Seattle Seahawks. In 2021, he finished with 6.5 sacks and 13 quarterback hits. The next season, Taylor made a career-high 9.5 sacks. In 2023, he finished with 5.5 sacks.
In 2024, Taylor was traded to the Chicago Bears and finished with three sacks and nine quarterback hits.
This year, Taylor played in four games with the Texans. He made three tackles and hasn’t played since suffering the ankle injury on Nov. 2.
The Patriots have solid depth at edge rusher with starters Harold Landry and K’Lavon Chaisson. Their top backups are Anfernee Jennings and Elijah Ponder.
Taylor gives them an option to add another veteran pass rusher to their game-day roster this weekend for Sunday’s matchup. The veteran might also be able to provide the Patriots with some intel on the Texans.
The NFL Network was the first to report the news of Taylor’s signing.
