J.J. Taylor will compete for a role in Houston's backfield this season, but he has minimal Fantasy value coming into the year. Taylor is not worth drafting in the majority of leagues. Taylor appeared in five games for the Texans in 2024. He played 55 total snaps (33 on offense) and had 10 carries for 44 yards and caught two of his three targets for no yards. Most likely, if Taylor makes the final roster, he will be low on the depth chart behind Joe Mixon, Nick Chubb, Woody Marks, Dare Ogunbowale and Dameon Pierce. So even if Mixon were to miss time due to injury, it would be a surprise if Taylor would get extended playing time.
Houston released Taylor on Tuesday, Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Taylor got a combined 10 touches for 29 total yards over the Texans' first two preseason games, but he's heading for free agency ahead of their last preseason contest. He'll have to look for his next opportunity with a different team.
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Texans' J.J. Taylor: Passes physical
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The Texans activated Taylor (undisclosed) off the active/PUP list Saturday, Howard Balzer of USA Today reports.
Taylor passed his physical Saturday and is now able to return to practice. With Joe Mixon set to miss extended time with a foot injury, Taylor should have a chance to catch on with the team as a backup running back.
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Texans' J.J. Taylor: Not ready for training camp
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Taylor (undisclosed) was placed on the active/PUP list Wednesday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Taylor was essentially a rotational practice-squad back for Houston last year, playing in five regular-season contests and totaling 33 offensive snaps. It's unclear what injury Taylor may be dealing with, but the Texans may just be being cautious with their veterans as the team placed 13 players on either the non-football injury list or PUP list before the start of training camp. The 27-year-old can return to the practice field at any point in the preseason should the team deem him ready, and he will likely need to do so quickly, as Taylor could be competing with newly drafted fourth-round pick Woody Marks for a roster spot.
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Texans' J.J. Taylor: Staying in Houston
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The Texans signed Taylor to a reserve/future contract Wednesday.
Taylor appeared in five games for the Texans in 2024 while splitting time between the team's practice squad and active roster, rushing 10 times for 44 yards and catching two of his three targets for no additional yards. The Arizona product played 55 total snaps (33 offensive and 22 on special teams) during his five appearances this season, and he's likely to compete for a reserve role in Houston's running back room this summer.
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J.J. Taylor: Reverts to practice squad
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Taylor reverted to the Texans' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.
Taylor was elevated to the Texans' active roster was to provide backfield insurance in case Joe Mixon (ankle) was unable to play in Saturday's divisional-round game against the Chiefs. Mixon was able to suit up, which left Taylor as a healthy scratch in the loss. Taylor appeared in five regular-season games for Houston during the 2024 campaign and finished with 10 carries for 44 yards while adding two catches (on three targets) for zero yards.
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Texans' J.J. Taylor: Not needed for divisional round
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Taylor (coach's decision) is inactive for Saturday's divisional-round clash against Kansas City.
Taylor was elevated from Houston's practice squad Friday as a consequence of lead running back Joe Mixon (ankle) being deemed questionable to face the Chiefs. However, Mixon is active Saturday, so Taylor isn't needed for depth in the backfield. Taylor played in five games during the regular season, with his most recent action coming in Week 10 versus Detroit.
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J.J. Taylor: Returns to Houston
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Taylor signed with the Texans' practice squad Wednesday.
Taylor had played in five games with Houston this season, seeing 10 carries and turning that into 44 yards. The Arizona product was waived by the team Monday, but after clearing waivers has found a home back on their practice squad where he started his 2024 campaign.
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Texans' J.J. Taylor: Likely on active roster Week 10
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Taylor is expected to be on the active roster for Sunday night's game against Detroit, as Dameon Pierce has been ruled out for Week 10.
Taylor was signed to the 53-man roster ahead of last week's contest, in which Pierce was inactive, and had three carries for 23 yards in a loss to the Jets. He's expected to be third on the depth chart behind Joe Mixon and Dare Ogunbowale.
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Texans' J.J. Taylor: Three touches in loss
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Taylor carried three times for 23 yards in Thursday's 21-13 loss to the Jets in Week 9.
Because the Texans were without Dameon Pierce (groin) for the game, the club signed Taylor to the 53-man roster, and he was on the field for six snaps. Dare Ogunbowale (29 snaps) moved up to second on depth chart while Taylor filled a similar role he had earlier this season when he was activated from the practice squad.
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Texans' J.J. Taylor: Signed to active roster
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The Texans signed Taylor off the practice squad to the active roster Wednesday.
Taylor was elevated by the Texans to the active roster three times this season, and by being signed to the 53-man squad, he'll be able to suit up for Houston again. He'll serve as the Texans' No. 3 running back behind Joe Mixon and Dare Ogunbowale for Thursday's game against the Jets due to Dameon Pierce being ruled out with a groin injury. Taylor has logged seven carries for 21 yards while adding two catches for no gain across his three regular-season outings.
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Texans' J.J. Taylor: Elevated from practice squad
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The Texans elevated Taylor from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Taylor will be elevated for a third straight week, as top running backs Joe Mixon (ankle) and Dameon Pierce (hamstring) continue to be hampered with injuries. Taylor saw additional playing time in Week 4 against the Jaguars, during which he turned six carries into 18 yards with three of those runs coming in the red zone. Mixon has been already ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Bills, and if Pierce were also to be inactive, Taylor would be the No. 4 running back behind Cam Akers, Dare Ogunbowale and British Brooks.
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J.J. Taylor: Back to practice squad
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Taylor reverted to the Texans' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's official transaction log.
The running back was elevated for Sunday's win over the Jaguars with Joe Mixon (ankle) and Dameon Pierce (hamstring) out. Taylor played on 16 of 75 offensive snaps, carried the ball six times for 18 yards and failed to bring in his only target. Cam Akers and Dare Ogunbowale led Houston's backfield with 30 and 29 snaps, respectively.
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Texans' J.J. Taylor: Gets more work in Week 4
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Taylor had six carries for 18 yards and failed to catch his only target in Sunday's 24-20 win over the Jaguars.
Taylor, who was elevated from the practice squad for a second straight week, had a touch or target in all four quarters, including a couple of red-zone carries. His snap count increased from 10 in Week 3 to 16 in Sunday's win. The absence of Joe Mixon (ankle) and Dameon Pierce (hamstring) has created opportunities for players further down the depth chart, but that window for Taylor could close as soon as Week 5's game against the Bills.
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J.J. Taylor: Reverts to practice squad
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Taylor reverted to the Texans' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.
The running back was elevated for Sunday's matchup with the Vikings with Joe Mixon (ankle) and Dameon Pierce (hamstring) out with injuries. Taylor played on 10 of 67 offensive snaps and recorded one carry for three yards and two catches for zero yards. Cam Akers and Dare Ogunbowale led the Houston backfield with 29 and 28 offensive snaps, respectively.
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Texans' J.J. Taylor: Elevated for Week 3
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The Texans elevated Taylor from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday.
The move comes with Joe Mixon (ankle) and Dameon Pierce (hamstring) both ruled out for Sunday's game against the Vikings. If he's active for Sunday's contest, Taylor will serve as the Texans' No. 4 running back behind Cam Akers, Dare Ogunbowale and British Brooks.
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J.J. Taylor: Staying with Houston
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Taylor signed with the Texans' practice squad Wednesday.
The running back was waived by the team Tuesday. Taylor signed a reserve/future contract with Houston in January after spending the second half of 2023 on the team's practice squad. In the preseason, he carried the ball 19 times for 85 yards, returned a kick for 29 yards and three punts for 15 yards.
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J.J. Taylor: Let go by Texans
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Houston waived Taylor on Tuesday.
Taylor spent the second half of 2023 on the Texans' practice squad after failing to make the Patriots' 53-man roster at the end of training camp. He signed a reserve/future contract with Houston in January and entered training camp competing for both a running back depth spot and a return role on special teams. Across four preseason outings, Taylor had 19 carries for 85 yards and added two catches (on four targets) for 11 yards. In addition, he registered a 29-yard kickoff return and turned three punt returns into 15 yards. Taylor could be invited back by Houston to join the practice squad for 2024, but he may look to join a roster elsewhere assuming he goes unclaimed off waivers.
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Texans' J.J. Taylor: Rushing leader Thursday
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Taylor rushed for 16 yards on six carries and returned one punt for four yards in Thursday's 21-17 preseason loss to Chicago.
Taylor is on the fringes of the backfield depth chart, but he has significant collegiate experience returning kicks (kickoffs, not punts) and also filled that role on occasion while with New England the last three seasons. It would seem his clearest path to a roster spot would be via special teams.
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J.J. Taylor: Headed to Houston
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Taylor signed with the Texans' practice squad Tuesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Taylor will head to Houston after being released from the Patriots in August. The 25-year-old has 18 career rushes for 77 yards and touchdown, and will now provide the team insurance at running back.
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Patriots' J.J. Taylor: Plays briefly
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Taylor had one carry for three yards and one catch for 10 yards in Friday's 23-7 preseason loss to the Titans.
Taylor made a brief appearance in the first quarter, while second-year pros Kevin Harris and Pierre Strong both got extensive playing time. Chad Graff of The Athletic notes that Harris and Strong started the summer ahead of Taylor on the depth chart but may not have maintained that position. With Rhamondre Stevenson and Ezekiel Elliott both locks to make the 53-man roster, the Patriots probably have only one or two RB spots left and will now have to choose between Taylor, Harris, Strong and Ty Montgomery (leg).
