Lane

Taylor

Erickson was part of the Texans’ blizzard of special teams signings in March, but he could not crack the 53-man roster for the worst team in the league. The Texans have also waived/released OG Lane Taylor, TE Antony Auclair, DB Rasul Douglas, QB Jeff Driskel, OL Danny Isidora, DL Jaleel Johnson, WR Chris Moore, LB Hardy Nickerson, DL Derek Rivers, LB Joe Thomas, OL Cole Toner, DB Shyheim Carter, WR Keke Coutee, OL Hjalte Froholdt, OL Carson Green, DB Ka’dar Hollman, RB Buddy Howell, TE Ryan Izzo, OL Ryan McCollum, DB Jonathan Owens, FB Paul Quessenberry, OL Jordan Steckler and WR Jordan Veasy.

Taylor still reportedly remains “on schedule” in his rehab stemming from last year’s torn ACL. It’s a true question mark when he and/or Marcus Cannon (knee, PUP) will arrive at training camp and return to on-field practices. Note that Lane opened 2020 as a starter on Green Bay’s interior line prior to injury.

Taylor will reunite with his former OL coach James Campen in Houston, a key factor in the former’s decision, and remains “on schedule” in his rehab from last year’s torn ACL. With only three appearances under his belt the last two years, it’s a true question mark whether the 31-year-old can arrive in Houston and immediately compete for a starting role. Note that he opened 2020 as a starter on Green Bay’s interior line prior to injury.

It’s the first team that’s been linked to Taylor. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports Taylor is “on schedule” in his rehab from ACL surgery. Taylor has been limited to three games the past two seasons, ending both on injured reserve. He’ll have to settle for a non-guaranteed deal wherever he signs.

Taylor suffered a season-ending biceps injury in practice last September and had battled back to earn a starting role on offense. Elgton Jenkins took over for right tackle Billy Turner on Sunday but will presumably bounce inside if Taylor is cleared for Week 2 against the Lions. This news is clearly heartbreaking for Taylor, who took a $3 million pay cut to return to the team this year.

Taylor’s base salary has been slashed from $4.55 million to $1.5 million. He can earn $1.5 million of it back through incentives. Taylor missed most of 2019 with a torn biceps and appears poised to lose his left guard job to Elgton Jenkins.

Taylor started the first two games before going down. His job security had been in question, so moving to rookie Elgton Jenkins isn’t much of a downgrade. Taylor is signed through 2020 but seems unlikely to be back with the Packers next year. His offseason release would create $4.5 million in cap savings.

The Packers look set to go into the season with Elgton Jenkins as their starter. Taylor seems unlikely to be open to a backup role, but he has some trade value if the Packers want to move on. Releasing Taylor would save $3.4 million in cap space.

Taylor had to be helped off the field early in the game. He was replaced by Justin McCray, who promptly gave up a sack. Green Bay’s line is a real concern.

Re-signed to a two-year, $4.15 million deal in March, the fourth-year UDFA has started two games in his career, both last season. He struggled in pass protection in those two starts, allowing seven hurries in 148 snaps according to PFF. If Taylor struggles, the Packers could also turn to Don Barclay.