Darrell

Taylor

They needed the roster spot ahead of tonight’s Wild Card playoff game against the Steelers, as they’re activating S Jaylen Reed from injured reserve. Taylor played just 35 snaps for the Texans in 2025 and has been a moderate disappointment. If the Texans survive the night, it’s possible he’s brought back on the practice squad.

Two weeks shy of his 28th birthday, Taylor was a late summer trade addition for Chicago last year. His three sacks for the Bears were a new career low after three decent-ish years with the Seahawks. Taylor has struggled to develop into more than a rotational pass rusher, but that is all he needs to be for the Texans’ amped-up pass rush.

Taylor was a second-round pick of the Seahawks back in 2020. Playing primarily as a pass rusher, Taylor has amassed 21.5 sacks in 49 career games and tallied 5.5 sacks last season. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, who was first to report the deal, the Bears were in on a trade for Matthew Judon before he went to the Falcons, leaving the Bears to pivot to Taylor to bolster their defense. Taylor has one year left on his deal and could play his way into a nice contract next offseason with a strong showing in Chicago.

It’s tremendous news for Taylor and his family after he was loaded onto a stretcher and carted off amid a silent Pittsburgh crowd. “A really, really positive report,” Carroll said when asked about Taylor’s status. “His MRI stuff was clear. His CT scan stuff was clear. He does not have a neck injury. He got jammed pretty good. We got to wait and see what it’s like. It may be a little bit more in his shoulder even as we figure it out.” Taylor was reportedly upset when trainers didn’t let him walk off the field under his own power. Carroll said the 2020 second-round draft pick has a shot to play Monday night against the Saints.

It was a scary sight with members of both teams coming out onto the field to wish Taylor the best. The 2020 second-round pick was having a fantastic game in all facets prior to this injury. He was moving his legs and talking to medical staff before he left.

Taylor has spent the entire year on the reserve/NFI list. The second-round rookie is working his way back from knee surgery and seems doubtful to make a late season appearance. The Seahawks are likely getting a look at Taylor ahead of 2021.

The Seahawks traded up 11 spots to nab Taylor at No. 48 in April. As Pro Football Focus’ Mike Renner notes, Taylor increased his snap count in each of his five years at Tennessee, going from 103 snaps as a redshirt freshman in 2016 to 634 snaps in his last season. He primarily squared off against subpar right tackles in college, but Taylor’s meaty size and length should translate immediately to sub-packages in the NFL. Anything more will be determined by how quickly he develops a rolodex of pass-rushing moves. The Seahawks generated the second-fewest sacks in the league last season.

The Jets got picks 59 and 101 from the Seahawks in the trade. Taylor (6'4/267) totaled 79 tackles, 10 sacks, and 20 tackles for loss over his final two seasons with the Volunteers, alternating from standing up as an EDGE rusher to bull-rushing with his hand in the ground in the program’s hybrid defensive scheme. As Pro Football Focus’ Mike Renner notes, Taylor increased his snap count in each of his five years at Tennessee, going from 103 snaps as a redshirt freshman in 2016 to 634 snaps in his last season. He primarily squared off against subpar right tackles in college, but Taylor’s meaty size and length should translate immediately to sub-packages in the NFL. Anything more will be determined by how quickly he develops a rolodex of pass-rushing moves. The Seahawks generated the second-fewest sacks in the league last season.

The Jets got picks 59 and 101 from the Seahawks in the trade. Taylor (6'4/267) totaled 79 tackles, 10 sacks, and 20 tackles for loss over his final two seasons with the Volunteers, alternating from standing up as an EDGE rusher to bull-rushing with his hand in the ground in the program’s hybrid defensive scheme. As Pro Football Focus’ Mike Renner notes, Taylor increased his snap count in each of his five years at Tennessee, going from 103 snaps as a redshirt freshman in 2016 to 634 snaps in his last season. He primarily squared off against subpar right tackles in college, but Taylor’s meaty size and length should translate immediately to sub-packages in the NFL. Anything more will be determined by how quickly he develops a rolodex of pass-rushing moves. The Seahawks generated the second-fewest sacks in the league last season.

Taylor (6'4/267) can be utilized as either a 4-3 end or a 3-4 edge rusher at the next level, but in Zierlein’s opinion he needs additional skill development in order to have an impact in the NFL. “His rush lacks instincts and counters, but he has shown the ability to explode and bend the edge sharply, which will get the attention of NFL evaluators,” Zierlein wrote. “The toolbox has plenty in it, but additional development as a pass rusher might be the difference between functional backup or dangerous starter.” Taylor, who Zierlein compares to Junior Galette in his analysis, projects to be a third round pick in April’s draft.