With Ty Montgomery and Kevin Harris also having been let go by the team Tuesday, Rhamondre Stevenson and Ezekiel Elliott are the only running backs on the 53-man roster following initial cut-downs. Look for additional moves to occur in the coming days, and with that in mind it's possible that Taylor could return to the mix once the dust settles.
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Patriots' J.J. Taylor: Plays briefly
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Taylor had one carry for three yards and one catch for 10 yards in Friday's 23-7 preseason loss to the Titans.
Taylor made a brief appearance in the first quarter, while second-year pros Kevin Harris and Pierre Strong both got extensive playing time. Chad Graff of The Athletic notes that Harris and Strong started the summer ahead of Taylor on the depth chart but may not have maintained that position. With Rhamondre Stevenson and Ezekiel Elliott both locks to make the 53-man roster, the Patriots probably have only one or two RB spots left and will now have to choose between Taylor, Harris, Strong and Ty Montgomery (leg).
Taylor signed a reserve/future contract with the Patriots on Tuesday.
Taylor has spent all three seasons of his NFL career with New England, though he bounced back and forth between the practice squad and active roster this regular season. As a result, the 25-year-old recorded a career-low 10 carries in 2022 while appearing in fewer than five games for the first time in his career. Taylor will now look to compete for a roster spot among the Patriots' crowded running backs corps heading into the 2023 campaign.
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J.J. Taylor: Joins New England's practice squad
Rotowire
The Patriots have signed Taylor to their practice squad.
Taylor was waived by the Patriots earlier this week, but he's back on the team's practice squad and is a candidate to be elevated to the active roster the next time injuries hit New England's backfield. In the only game he's seen action in this season, Taylor carried 10 times for nine yards and added one reception for eight yards in a Week 9 win over the Colts.
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J.J. Taylor: Let go Tuesday
Rotowire
Taylor was waived by the Patriots on Monday.
Taylor was active for one game this season for New England, which was Week 9 against the Colts, where he saw 10 carries and gained just nine yards. The third-year pro now will work to find a new opportunity elsewhere.
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Patriots' J.J. Taylor: Inactive Sunday
Rotowire
Taylor (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Jets, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.
With Damien Harris back in action Sunday, Taylor and Kevin Harris are inactive Sunday, with Rhamondre Stevenson and Pierre Strong rounding out the team's Week 11 backfield. Taylor is off the fantasy radar as long as both Damien Harris and Stevenson remain available.
Patriots' J.J. Taylor: Operates as backup to Stevenson
Rotowire
Taylor rushed the ball 10 times for nine yards in Sunday's 26-3 win over the Colts. He added one reception for eight yards.
Taylor mixed in behind Rhamondre Stevenson throughout the game, though half of his carries came in the fourth quarter when the Patriots were up multiple scores. He wasn't impressive with his opportunity, as his longest rush went for only five yards and he averaged under one yard per carry. Taylor was signed to the active roster prior to Sunday's game, but he will likely be relegated primarily to special-teams duties in Week 11 -- New England has a Week 10 bye -- assuming Damien Harris (illness) can return.
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Patriots' J.J. Taylor: Signed to active roster
Rotowire
The Patriots signed Taylor to the active roster Saturday, Field Yates of ESPN reports.
Taylor failed to secure a roster spot with New England out of training camp but stuck around on the practice squad. He has yet to be active for a game this season but will likely have the chance to serve a special teams role for the foreseeable future.
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J.J. Taylor: Added to Pats' practice squad
Rotowire
New England signed Taylor to its practice squad Wednesday, Mike Dussault of the Patriots' official site reports.
Rookie sixth-round pick Kevin Harris who was also cut Tuesday, will also join Taylor on New England's practice squad. Taylor and Harris will add backfield depth behind the four options currently on the 53-man roster -- Damien Harris, Rhamondre Stevenson, Ty Montgomery and Pierre Strong. Through his first two NFL seasons, Taylor logged 42 carries for 147 yards and two touchdowns to go with five catches for 12 yards over 11 games.
The Patriots will waive Taylor on Tuesday, Field Yates of ESPN reports.
In addition to Taylor, fellow running back Kevin Harris will be waived, which suggests that Ty Montgomery's ankle issue may not be a long-term concern. As for Taylor, he'll likely be a practice-squad candidate or an option to rejoin the Patriots' post-cutdown roster, assuming he clears waivers.
