News: The Browns activated defensive lineman Phillip Taylor from the PUP list on Friday after missing the first eight games of the season sidelined with a chest injury. Taylor suffered a torn pectoral muscle while lifting weights in the offseason and was placed on the PUP list in late August.
Analysis: Taylor, the 21st overall selection in the 2011 NFL Draft, started all 16 games for Cleveland last season and registered 59 tackles and four sacks. He should be able to jump right into the starting lineup for the Browns, but is viewed as a low-end Fantasy option at the start.
News: Cleveland defensive lineman Phillip Taylor (chest) will miss at least the first six weeks of the regular season after being placed on the reserve PUP list Monday. Taylor suffered a torn pectoral muscle while lifting weights in the offseason and has not been cleared to return.
Analysis: Taylor's loss is a big blow for the Browns as the 335-pound brute creates a role in the team's starting lineup. The 24-year-old finished with 59 tackles and four sacks in 16 games last season, but should not be considered a worthwhile Fantasy option while he's sidelined.
News: Browns DL Phil Taylor told ESPN that he hopes to return this season after suffering a torn pectoral muscle while lifting weights this offseason. He'll begin the year on the Physically Unable to Perform list. "I'm itching to get back, but I'm not going to rush it," Taylor said.
Analysis: Taylor is a key cog to the Browns' run defense but not someone you should consider drafting in standard Fantasy play. If anything, look to add him off waivers in the middle of the season.
News: Browns coach Pat Shurmur announced Friday that defensive tackle Phil Taylor suffered a pectoral tear, which puts his 2012 in jeopardy. The injury typically takes several months to recover from. "[M]ost likely he's going to have surgery here in the middle of the week," Shurmur said. "He is going to miss some significant amount of time, more months than weeks. It's too early to speculate how long that will be."
Analysis: Taylor is a key cog to the Browns' run defense -- without him the team would likely have to lean on one of their drafted rookies: University of Cincinnati defensive tackle John Hughes. Assuming the worst, Taylor shouldn't be taken in Fantasy drafts.
News: The Browns announced Thursday that defensive tackle Phil Taylor suffered a pectoral injury and will be re-evaluated. WJW-TV in Cleveland reports that Taylor might have torn his pec, which would likely sideline Taylor for a good chunk of the regular season.
Analysis: Taylor is a key cog to the Browns' run defense -- without him the team would likely have to lean on one of their drafted rookies: University of Cincinnati defensive tackle John Hughes. Assuming the worst, Taylor shouldn't be taken in Fantasy drafts.
News: Browns DL Phillip Taylor had six tackles (one solo) in the Browns 24-10 loss to the Ravens in Week 13. He added no other stats in the game. It was his third straight game without a sack.
Analysis: Taylor is just a rookie, so some periods of extended struggles are to be expected. He has 48 tackles and four sacks in 12 games, a pretty solid pace for a rookie. However, he's still just a low-end Fantasy IDP option at DL.
News: Browns DL Phillip Taylor had two solo tackles Week 12 at Cincinnati. It was the second straight game he failed to record a sack.
Analysis: Taylor has been progressing well as a rookie tackle. He has 42 tackles and four sacks in 11 games. You can see why the Browns used a first-round pick on him. Still, Taylor is more of a No. 3 Fantasy DL.
News: Browns DL Philip Taylor registered a sack and made five tackles in a Week 10 loss to the Rams. It was Taylor's fourth sack of the season.
Analysis: Taylor has been helpful with sacks this season, though he is contributing little in other categories. That leaves him as a low-end DL option in IDP leagues.
News: Browns DL Phillip Taylor registered his third sack of the season in Week 8 against the 49ers. Taylor was credited with two tackles in the 20-10 win, both solo. He now has 25 tackles and three sacks thus far.
Analysis: Taylor continues tom play well for the Browns and already has three sacks on the season. While playing nose tackle may limit his tackling opportunities some weeks, his ability to get to the QB keeps him relevant in deeper IDP formats. Leave him active in those formats heading into Week 9.
News: Cleveland DL Phillip Taylor notched three tackles and a sack during the Browns' 24-17 loss at Oakland in Week 6 on Sunday. Taylor, who was Cleveland's first-round selection in the 2011 NFL Draft, has now recorded two sacks over his past three games.
Analysis: Taylor has amassed 23 tackles this season but is among the league leaders for rookies with his two sacks. The 335-pounder isn't likely to produce high tackle totals, though he could produce more sacks. Consider him a low-end option in deeper Fantasy IDP formats.
News: Browns coach Pat Shurmur said DL Phillip Taylor is fine after sustaining an MCL injury on Sunday against the Dolphins. He was able to finish out the game and even recorded his first career sack.
Analysis: Taylor has 18 tackles through three games and is showing why the Browns drafted him in the first round. He might not get a ton of sacks as a defensive tackle, but Taylor could pass as a low-end Fantasy DL.
News: Browns rookie DL Phillip Taylor had his first career sack in Week 3 against the Dolphins. He finished with seven tackles (four solo).
Analysis: Taylor has 18 tackles through three games and is showing why the Browns drafted him in the first round. He might not get a ton of sacks as a defensive tackle, but Taylor could pass as a low-end Fantasy DL.
News: Browns DL Phillip Taylor managed five tackles in Week 2 at the Colts. He was also credited with his first pass defensed of the season.
Analysis: Taylor is becoming a reliable source for tackles and is quickly becoming a viable start in deeper IDP formats. The fixture along the interior of the defensive line, the rookie could easily rack up over 80 tackles this season if he stays healthy.
News: Browns rookie DT Phil Taylor had his best preseason game Thursday against the Eagles, recording a sack, forced fumble and registering three QB hurries on Michael VIck. Coach Pat Shurmur put it in perspective a day later after practice. "He showed flashes of what you want from a defensive tackle in this league," he said. "There are times where he needs to be more explosive and consistent, but he's making steady progress."
Analysis: Taylor was dominant more times than not at Baylor, and he has looked as good in the NFL early on. For a nose-guard to have a sack and three QB pressures on the most elusive QB in the game speaks for itself. Taylor is becoming a player to stay on Fantasy owners' radar on Draft Day in IDP leagues as a potential flier, so stay tuned.
News: A person familiar with the negotiations says the Cleveland Browns have agreed to terms on a contract with defensive tackle Phil Taylor, their first-round draft pick. Taylor will immediately report to the Browns, said the person who spoke to the Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because the team has not yet announced the signing.
Analysis: Taylor, the No. 21 overall pick, missed the team's first four practices of training camp in a holdout. The holdup was over a fourth guaranteed season for the rookie, who is expected to start in first-year coach Pat Shurmur's 4-3 system. Earlier Tuesday, Shurmur said Taylor's absence would have little impact on his playing time. Taylor will be a key cog in the Browns defense, but he's not expected to put up much in the way of stats. Keep him off of Fantasy rosters.
News: After making two trades, the Browns plugged a monstrous hole in their new defensive front by drafting Baylor's Phil Taylor, a 6-foot-3, 330-pounder with the No. 27 overall pick in the NFL Draft. Under new coach Pat Shurmur, the Browns are switching from a 3-4 alignment to a 4-3 and they envision Taylor playing up front and alongside another wide-body, Ahtyba Rubin, who had a breakout season for the Browns in 2010. "He's a big man and he can push the pocket," GM Tom Heckert said of Taylor. "If your guards are undersized, he's going to run right over you."
Analysis: Taylor will be a key cog in the Browns defense, but he's not expected to put up much in the way of stats. Keep him off of Fantasy rosters.
