Houston Texans running back J.J. Taylor has been elevated from the practice squad ahead of the Week 4 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars. This is noteworthy because it probably means lead back Joe Mixon (ankle) is probably trending in the wrong direction ahead of Sunday's game. Taylor was elevated last week as well with Mixon on the sideline. He rushed the ball once for three yards on hauled in both his targets for two yards through the air. He should serve as the emergency back behind Cam Akers and Dare Ogunbowale, assuming Mixon is out. Fantasy managers who have Mixon rostered should go ahead and prepare a backup plan for Week 4.
New England Patriots running back J.J. Taylor had one carry for three yards and one catch for 10 yards in Friday's 23-7 preseason loss to the Tennessee Titans. He briefly appeared in Friday's game while Pierre Strong Jr. and Kevin Harris handled most of the touches. The 25-year-old is competing with Harris, Strong, and Ty Montgomery for a spot on the Patriots running back depth chart behind Rhamondre Stevenson and Ezekiel Elliott. He had 10 carries for nine yards and caught his only target for eight yards in his only game for the Patriots in 2022. Taylor is fighting for a spot on New England's 53-man roster but is far from being fantasy-relevant in 2023.
J.J. Taylor Starts The Preseason Opener, Held To 16 Rushing Yards
New England Patriots running back J.J. Taylor rushed five times for 16 yards and caught his only target for 11 yards in Thursday's 23-21 preseason loss to the New York Giants. With running backs Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson given the night off, Taylor drew the start in New England's preseason opener. The 24-year-old played every snap for the team's first snap in the team's first two drives but didn't do much with his opportunity, averaging just 3.2 yards per carry. Veteran James White retired Thursday, leaving the third-down role up for grabs. Taylor will need to beat out Ty Montgomery, Pierre Strong, and Kevin Harris for a spot on the 53-man roster.
New England Patriots running back J.J. Taylor is a healthy scratch for the Week 12 contest against the Tennessee Titans. Running backs Damien Harris (neck) and Rhamondre Stevenson (knee), who were questionable for Sunday, are both active and should share most of New England's backfield touches against the Titans. It will be Taylor's second straight week being a healthy scratch with New England's backfield fully healthy. The 23-year-old will only be worth a pickup in deeper PPR leagues again if one of Harris or Stevenson miss time with an injury. Brandon Bolden will be the No. 3 change-of-pace, pass-catching back on Sunday, but he'll be a desperation play in PPR formats.
J.J. Taylor - Week 12 Outlook for Fantasy Football
New England Patriots running back J.J. Taylor was a healthy scratch last week. In fact, Taylor has only played in five games this season. Although, he could be asked to step up for the Week 12 matchup against the Tennessee Titans. Both Damien Harris (neck) and Rhamondre Stevenson (knee) are listed as questionable for this contest. That leaves Taylor and Brandon Bolden as the primary options. However, fantasy managers shouldn't get too excited. The only time Taylor was productive was in Week 7 when he posted a two-touchdown performance. It's uncertain if Harris or Stevenson will actually be inactive yet. Taylor would be a desperation deep league option even with an expanded role.
J.J. Taylor - Week 10 Outlook for Fantasy Football
New England Patriots running back J.J. Taylor has not taken a snap in each of the last two weeks. However, he could be more involved in the Week 10 matchup against the Cleveland Browns. Both Damien Harris (concussion) and Rhamondre Stevenson (concussion) remain questionable after not practicing all week. That means, Taylor and Brandon Bolden could be asked to step up. Bolden is normally a receiving option, which means Taylor could be the main back for Sunday. Sadly for him, the Browns have one of the best run defenses in the league. Taylor wouldn't be anything more than a desperation deep league option, assuming he gets an increased role.
The New England Patriots continue to play musical chairs with the team's running backs, as Rhamondre Stevenson is active for Week 8 while J.J. Taylor is a healthy scratch despite scoring a pair of touchdowns last week. It appears that New England is just going to continue to decide on game day who out of Stevenson and Taylor will be the team's backup running back, meaning that neither player is rosterable in the vast majority of leagues because of the uncertainty.
New England Patriots running back J.J. Taylor found the end zone twice against the New York Jets in Week 7. Taylor was mixed into the game throughout, but both his scores came after the game was basically already over. He finished with nine attempts for 21 yards and two touchdowns in the win. Taylor was active over Rhamondre Stevenson, so fantasy managers should expect that to be the case for Week 8. Although, there isn't much upside here with Damien Harris getting a majority of the carries.
New England Patriots running back J.J. Taylor is a healthy scratch ahead of Sunday's meeting with the Texans. Expected to step into a larger role with James White out, Taylor had one carry for zero yards and one catch for zero yards last week. He lost a fumble while playing just four snaps. Brandon Bolden will continue to serve in the receiving back role, as he had six yards last week. Rhamondre Stevenson is active and could see a handful of offensive snaps as well.
New England Patriots running back J.J. Taylor was not seen during the season opener against the Miami Dolphins. Instead, the Pats went with Damien Harris, James White, and Rhamondre Stevenson in the backfield. Harris saw 23 carries, but had a critical fumble, which could cost him playing time in Week 2. Stevenson was barely seen on the field and fumbled as well. Which means, James White and Taylor could be the ones doing a majority of the work in Week 2. Honestly, it's tough to tell with the Patriots. Fantasy managers should wait and see if the team announces anymore information. Taylor isn't worth snagging yet, but could be on the fantasy radar soon.
J.J. Taylor
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Texans
