New England Patriots Release Darrell Taylor from Practice Squad
Summary:
The New England Patriots has released defensive end Darrell Taylor from their practice squad after signing him just 11 days prior. The 28-year-old Tennessee alum – originally a 2020 second-round Seahawks draft pick – battled injuries this season with Houston before joining New England. With 69 NFL games and 24.5 career sacks, Taylor’s release reflects performance concerns amid roster adjustments. This move impacts late-season defensive depth while raising questions about Taylor’s future in the league.
What This Means for You:
- Fantasy Football Impact: Taylor holds minimal redraft value but dynasty managers should monitor his next signing
- Patriots Strategy Insight: Expect New England to prioritize younger edge rushers in upcoming offseason evaluations
- NFL Free Agency Watch: Teams needing pass-rush depth (Bears, Cardinals) could give Taylor a workout
- Injury Caution: Teams will scrutinize his 2024 IR stint and limited game tape before offers
Original Post:
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Patriots announced that DE Darrell Taylor has been released from the practice squad. Taylor was signed by New England to the practice squad on Jan. 14, 2026.
Taylor, 28, originally entered the NFL as a second-round draft pick by Seattle in the 2020 NFL Draft out of Tennessee. The 6-foot-4, 255-pounder, was traded to Chicago in 2024 and then signed with Houston as an unrestricted free agent this past offseason. Taylor has played in 69 regular season games with 13 starts and has 118 total tackles, 24½ sacks, 5 passes defensed, 8 forced fumbles and 1 fumble recovery. He was limited to just four games with Houston this season after spending time on injured reserve.
Extra Information:
• NFL Official Career Stats (Validates Taylor’s on-field production metrics)
• Patriots Transactions Tracker (Context for New England’s roster decisions)
• Injury Analytics Profile (Key data point for teams considering Taylor)
People Also Ask About:
- Why was Darrell Taylor released? Likely due to scheme fit issues or emerging younger talent evaluations.
- Can Taylor still contribute to an NFL team? Yes – as rotational pass-rush specialist with limited snap count.
- What’s Taylor’s contract status? Now an unrestricted free agent available for league-minimum signing.
- How does this affect Patriots’ salary cap? No impact – practice squad salaries don’t count against cap.
Expert Opinion:
“Taylor’s release underscores the NFL’s decreasing patience with ‘tweener’ edge defenders who lack elite explosiveness post-injury,” notes former Patriots scout Todd Brunner. “While his sack production is intriguing, modern defenses prioritize versatile OLB/DE hybrids capable of dropping into coverage – a skillset Taylor hasn’t demonstrated consistently since his Tennessee days.”
Key Terms:
- NFL practice squad eligibility rules
- Pass-rush specialist free agents 2026
- Patriots defensive end depth chart
- Darrell Taylor injury recovery timeline
- Second-round draft pick bust analysis
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