Browns Expect To Have DT Phil Taylor Back During The Season

Cleveland Browns GM Tom Heckert mentioned that DT Phil Taylor will “definitely” return to the team at some point this season.

“100%,” said Heckert, via the Cleveland Plain Dealer. “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 be placed on the PUP list to start the season because of the torn pectoral injury that he suffered. Yesterday, reports mentioned that Scott Paxson is currently getting snaps with the first-team defense in Taylor’s absence, but John Hughes and Billy Winn could also be options for the Browns.

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According to Tony Grossi of ESPN Cleveland, the Browns believe that DT Phil Taylor could end up missing the teams’ first 12 games of the season.

Taylor suffered a torn pectoral a few weeks ago and is a logical candidate to start the season on the PUP list. Grossi adds that Scott Paxson will most likely take his place during OTAs, but rookies John Hughes and Billy Winn will also have the opportunity to compete for playing time.

Taylor struggled at times during his rookie season, but he was clearly their best option heading into the 2012 season. It’s an unfortunate loss for a young and upcoming defense, but injuries are apart of the NFL, so Cleveland will have to do their best to mitigate his loss.