Phil

Taylor

Because the injury happened before training camp, Taylor will be eligible to begin the season on PUP. And that’s likely what he’ll do, missing the first six games. Taylor could return around midseason if his recovery goes smoothly, though the Browns’ season may already be in the gutter by then. They play the Giants, Ravens, Eagles, Bengals twice, and improved Bills to open the year.

Taylor’s agent confirmed the original report from Fox 8 Cleveland’s John Telich. Last year’s first-round pick, Taylor suffered the injury while lifting weights in Berea on Thursday. If the MRI comes back positive, Taylor could be lost for the 2012 season. The Browns’ run defense was bad enough as it was.

A torn pectoral injury usually costs a player the entire season, though Taylor has an advantage in that it occurred four months before the opener. The timetable should be in the 4-6 month range, leaving Taylor as a candidate to open the season on the PUP list. The loss of Taylor is devastating to a defense with little depth up front. Even with Taylor in the lineup last season, the Browns were a dream matchup for opposing fantasy backs.

Coordinator Dick Jauron believes Taylor and Rubin played way too many snaps last year. Hughes is valued for his versatility, as he can play both the one-technique and the three-technique. The third round still seems like a reach for an admitted backup on a team that lost a dozen games last year.

If so, he could easily end up not playing in 2012. Taylor will almost certainly begin the year on the PUP list, but could be transferred to injured reserve soon after Week 6 if Cleveland’s season is already in the tank. Browns beat writer Tony Grossi expects Scott Paxson to open OTAs as Taylor’s fill-in, but for rookies John Hughes and Billy Winn to push for snaps.

Yet to be cleared for weight lifting, Taylor insists he will not rush his rehab after listening to advice from teammate D’Qwell Jackson. Expected to start the season on the PUP list, Taylor will likely target a November return.

“100%,” said Heckert. “We think he’ll be back end of October, early November. ... It’s six months at the most, and that’s being very, very cautious. He could be back earlier.” Taylor will start the season on PUP, but the Browns expect him to return not long after. Scott Paxson is penciled in as the interim starter.

Taylor will be first eligible to return in Week 7, but remains without a concrete timetable for a return. Both Taylor and the Browns have vowed he’ll play this season, however. GM Tom Heckert suggested in May that Taylor could be 100 percent by late October or early November.

“He looks great,” Shurmur said. “We’re hopeful be back soon. Let’s just say this: I think he’ll be right on schedule.” Taylor’s return should help a struggling run defense that allowed Ahmad Bradshaw’s career game last week.

Cleveland needs run-stuffing bodies with Ahtyba Rubin battling a recurring calf injury and likely to be sidelined through at least Cleveland’s Week 10 bye. Taylor will probably try to be working himself into game shape over the next two weeks, but he can certainly help on obvious running downs. A 355-pound behemoth, Taylor was the 21st overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft.