Curtis

Taylor

Taylor has been out of the league since being cut by the 49ers prior to the 2011 season. He has appeared in 12 career games, making six tackles. Taylor will compete for a roster spot on special teams.

Taylor, who replaced LaRon Landry as LSU’s free safety in his junior year, has intriguing size at 6'3/204, but battled inconsistency and injuries in college. He’ll likely focus on special teams if he makes the Niners’ roster.

Taylor was injured playing special teams. He’s not used on defense.

The special teamer was injured during last week’s game against the Jaguars. The 2009 seventh-rounder will fight for a roster spot again this summer.

The thigh is likely torn. Taylor is only a special teams performer, so he could be placed on injured reserve shortly. The 49ers are fairly deep at safety, with Reggie Smith behind starting FS Dashon Goldson and SS Taylor Mays.

Taylor is only a special teamer, so the Niners couldn’t afford to wait a month for him to get healthy. It will be interesting to see what they do with the open roster spot. The Niners have been linked to Shawne Merriman, who the Chargers would be willing to trade despite his “reserve/injured” status.

Now paired with Reggie Smith on the second team, Mays appears to have bypassed Curtis Taylor. Smith still has the edge on the No. 3 safety job, so Mays should see plenty of time on special teams as a rookie.

Taylor ended last season on injured reserve with a torn quad. Still eligible for the practice squad, that should be where he ends up if he clears waivers.