May 22, 2013

NFL News: Phil Taylor to return to practice on Wednesday

October 24, 2012 by 9 Comments

As the Cleveland Browns prepare to stop Ryan Matthews and the San Diego Chargers this Sunday, they will be one step closer to having an improved run defense with defensive tackle Phil Taylor returning to practice for the first time since the start of the 2012 regular season.

Taylor injured his pectoral muscle during an off-season workout and was subsequently placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list. Earlier this week, Browns head coach Pat Shurmur hinted that last year’s first-round draft selection would see the practice field “this week.” With fellow defensive tackle Athyba Rubin reaggravating his calf injury, Taylor’s return will be a huge boost to a defense that was abused by a committee of reserves in Indianapolis just one week ago. Rookies Billy Winn and John Hughes have seen their snap counts increase in the wake of these injuries.

As a team through 2012, the Browns have allowed 133.7 yards per game on the ground, good enough for 25th in the NFL.

Taylor played in all 16 games as a rookie out of Baylor, recording 59 tackles and four sacks to go with a forced fumble. There is no word on Taylor’s participation level or when he will be deemed ready to return to the playing field on Sunday.

[Related: Mike Holmgren gives way to Jimmy Haslam in his final address]

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  • Natedawg86

    Where does this put him with respect to returning play? We still looking at after bye week? Or does this mean that he is playing this week?

  • Browns02

    I can’t imagine he sees too much time this week. No reason to rush him back in. The only reason that would happen IMO would be due to Shurmurs desperation for a win. Same way he will sacrifice Trent’s health for his own Job security.

  • eldaveablo

    I may be wrong, but I think he is just eligible to practice this week, but can’t play in a game for a couple more weeks. This is a PUP list rule.

  • cmm13

    PLAYOFFS!!!!!!!

  • 5KMD

    I thought he was OK to play the INDY game in terms of the PUP rules.

  • eldaveablo

    This wording is a little confusing, but this is what I found:

    A player who finishes the preseason still on the PUP list can then be placed on the regular-season PUP list. Such players must sit out the first six games their team plays. At that point, teams have a three-week window in which to allow the player to begin practicing; from the day the player begins practicing, teams have an additional three-week window in which to decide whether to activate the player to the 53-man roster. If either of those deadlines pass, the player must remain on the PUP list for the remainder of the season.

    Doesn’t really help. Ugh.

  • NamedMyKidPrice

    Reading that he recovered a fumble last year made my day! That play is 10 ten from last year for a couple different reasons. C’mon Man!!!

  • mgbode

    PUP rules for this have not changed in new CBA. Here is the best explanation that I had found previously.

    http://www.examiner.com/article/clarifying-nfl-rules-on-the-physically-unable-to-perform-pup-list-1

    Reserve PUP players are not eligible to play for the first six weeks of the season.

    Reserve PUP players do not count against the 53 man roster.
    Reserve PUP players have a three week window after Week 6 to practice
    with the team but a roster decision must be made, either to activate to
    the 53 or to IR the player, within that timeframe.

  • Natedawg86

    Well, it does help in the fact that he will be on the active roster in the next three weeks or be out the rest of the season. Wouldn’t make sense to activate him to practice if he would not be ready in three weeks. Skip SD and suit up for the game against the purple guys.