J.J. Taylor

New England Patriots
Running Back #42
New England Patriots
Running Back #42

J.J. Taylor News

Sticking with New England

Taylor signed a reserve/future contract with the Patriots on Tuesday.

Analysis: 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.

Jan 10, 2023 8:43 PM EST


Added to New England practice squad

The Patriots have signed Taylor to their practice squad.

Analysis: 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.

Nov 24, 2022 2:07 PM EST



Let go Tuesday

Taylor was released by the Patriots on Monday.

Analysis: 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 will now work to find a new opportunity elsewhere.

Nov 21, 2022 3:08 PM EST


Inactive Sunday

Taylor is inactive for Sunday's game against the Jets, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.

Analysis: 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 Rhamondre Stevenson remain available.

Nov 20, 2022 9:04 AM EST


Operates as backup to Stevenson

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.

Analysis: 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.

Nov 6, 2022 8:58 PM EST



Signed to active roster

The Patriots signed Taylor to the active roster Saturday, Field Yates of ESPN reports.

Analysis: 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.

Nov 5, 2022 8:21 PM EST


Added to New England practice squad

Taylor has been added to the Patriots' practice squad.

Analysis: As was rookie sixth-rounder Kevin Harris, with the duo providing the Patriots with added backfield depth behind Damien Harris, Rhamondre Stevenson, Ty Montgomery and Pierre Strong ahead of Week 1. Through his first two NFL seasons, Taylor has logged a total of 42 carries for 147 yards and two TDs, to go along with five catches for 12 yards in 11 games.

Aug 31, 2022 3:23 PM EST


Being waived by Patriots

The Patriots are slated to waive Taylor, Field Yates of ESPN reports.

Analysis: The same applies to rookie sixth-rounder Kevin Harris, which could bode well for the chances that Ty Montgomery's ankle issue may not be a long-term concern. As for Taylor, he figures to be a practice squad candidate or a post-cutdown roster addition, assuming he clears waivers.

Aug 30, 2022 11:12 AM EST


Starts first preseason game

Taylor rushed five times for 16 yards and caught his only target for 11 yards in Thursday's 23-21 preseason loss to the Giants.

Analysis: Taylor got the start at running back ahead of rookies Kevin Harris and Pierre Strong with both Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson getting the night off, but he didn't do much with the opportunity, rushing for just 3.2 yards per carry. Strong averaged a more robust 4.2 yards on his six attempts, while Harris was the only one of the three to score a touchdown. Even with James White no longer in the mix after announcing his retirement, Taylor could find himself on the outside looking in when final cuts come around if he allows both rookies to outplay him, so he'll be looking for a bounce-back performance when New England continues preseason play Aug. 19 against the Panthers.

Aug 11, 2022 8:38 PM EST


Logs 19 carries this past season

Taylor finished the 2021 season with 19 carries for 37 yards and two TDs to go along with four catches (on four targets) for eight yards in five games.

Analysis: Though the Patriots' running back group endured some injuries this past season, Taylor didn't see much volume in his second campaign as a pro. He's under contract with New England through 2022, so the 5-foot-6, 185-pounder is in line to reprise a depth role (behind Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson) in the team's backfield next season.

Jan 21, 2022 11:26 AM EST


Inactive Sunday

Taylor is inactive for Sunday's game against the Jaguars.

Analysis: With Rhamondre Stevenson back from the reserve/COVID-19 list, Taylor is the odd man out Sunday, with Damien Harris and Brandon Bolden also on hand versus Jacksonville.

Jan 2, 2022 8:53 AM EST


Doesn't log any Week 16 snaps

Taylor didn't see any snaps in Sunday's 33-21 loss to the Bills.

Analysis: Taylor suited up for the contest, with Rhamondre Stevenson (illness) on the reserve/COVID-19 list, but didn't see any action with Damien Harris handling the bulk of the Patriots' early-down work and Brandon Bolden working in a change-of-pace role. Taylor remains off the fantasy radar until or unless the team's backfield depth is further taxed for any reason.

Dec 27, 2021 9:54 AM EST


Suits up Sunday

Taylor is listed as active for Sunday's game against the Bills.

Analysis: With Rhamondre Stevenson (illness) on the reserve/COVID-19 list, Taylor is active for the first time since Week 10. However, with Damien Harris likely to handle the bulk of the Patriots' early-down work assuming no setbacks with his hamstring and Brandon Bolden on hand to work in a change-of-pace role, Taylor is a speculative Week 16 lineup option.

Dec 26, 2021 8:45 AM EST


Returns from COVID list

Taylor (undisclosed) has been activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday, Zack Cox of NESN.com reports.

Analysis: Taylor is present at New England's practice, evidencing that he's fully cleared the league's protocols for COVID-19. Prior to landing on the COVID list, however, Taylor had been a healthy scratch in four of his last five appearances. Unless Damien Harris (hamstring) can't go during Sunday's divisional matchup against the Bills, Tayor could once again be made inactive.

Dec 22, 2021 9:58 AM EST


Lands on COVID list

Taylor has been placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list, Zack Cox of NESN.com reports.

Analysis: Taylor has been a healthy scratch for four of the Patriots' last five games, including Sunday's win over the Titans. It remains to be seen if he'll be cleared to play for next Monday's game against the Bills, but unless one of the team's other backs is unavailable, Taylor figures to remain the odd man out in Week 13 even if he is activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list.

Nov 29, 2021 2:49 PM EST


Inactive Sunday

Taylor is inactive for Sunday's game against the Titans.

Analysis: With Damien Harris (neck) and Rhamondre Stevenson (knee) both active, Brandon Bolden is in line to handle change-of-pace duties for the Patriots in Week 12, while Taylor is the odd man out of the team's backfield equation for now.

Nov 28, 2021 8:49 AM EST


Inactive Thursday night

Taylor is inactive for Thursday night's game against the Falcons.

Analysis: With Taylor a healthy scratch Thursday, the Patriots' Week 11 backfield will be comprised of Damien Harris, who's back after a one-game absence, as well as Rhamondre Stevenson and Brandon Bolden.

Nov 18, 2021 4:10 PM EST


Six carries in Week 10

Taylor, who was on the field for 13 of a possible 67 snaps on offense in Sunday's 45-7 win over the Browns, carried six times for 11 yards in the contest, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: Taylor, who had been a healthy scratch in Weeks 8 and 9, rejoined the Patriots' backfield mix Sunday, with Damien Harris (concussion) unavailable. In the process, he worked behind Rhamondre Stevenson (37 snaps, 20 carries and four catches), while Brandon Bolden recorded 18 snaps, en route to logging three carries and three catches. Whether Taylor suits up for Thursday night's game against the Falcons likely hinges on Harris' status, but either way he's a hit-or-miss fantasy option, while working in a complementary role.

Nov 15, 2021 9:39 AM EST


Suits up in Week 10

Taylor is listed as active for Sunday's game against the Browns.

Analysis: Taylor is back in uniform after being a healthy scratch the last couple of weeks, with Damien Harris (concussion) having been ruled out for the contest. Also in the team's Week 10 backfield mix are Rhamondre Stevenson and Brandon Bolden. In that context, Taylor's workload versus Cleveland is difficult to peg, which makes him a speculative fantasy lineup option this weekend.

Nov 14, 2021 8:49 AM EST


Inactive Sunday

Taylor is inactive for Sunday's game against the Panthers.

Analysis: With Taylor inactive again Sunday, Brandon Bolden and Rhamondre Stevenson will handle change-of-pace/complementary snaps in Week 9 behind New England's top back, Damien Harris.

Nov 7, 2021 8:59 AM EST


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