Fred Taylor Speaks About Injury/Future

It has been 10 weeks since Fred Taylor last played, and all of the work he's done from then until now focused on returning for one game. The Patriots play the Jaguars this week, and Taylor wants to be on the field to face his old teammates. In a wide-ranging conversation with Michael C. Wright of the Florida Times-Union, though, Taylor said his status remains undecided for Sunday.

"I really couldn't say, honestly. I've been doing some good things in practice. I had a pretty significant injury, man. But I'm grateful that coach [Bill] Belichick didn't put me on IR, considering how banged up we've been throughout the season. He's been patient. We have a stable of running backs that can more than get the job done. But for whatever reason, he decided not to put me on IR and I'm thankful. I don't know what's gonna happen this week. I'm questionable. That's 50-50, right [laughing]?"

True. So, again, are you playing?

"[Laughing] I work for the CIA and the Patriots, man."


Taylor addressed many other topics, including his future. He has said that he wants to pass Jim Brown on the all-time rushing list, an aim he currently stands 840 yards shy of. Wright asked Taylor, in his 12th season, how long he sees himself playing.

"Not much longer, man. At the most, I think I've got two years. I've got a couple of kids I've got to raise. I love the game of football and I'll be around it in some capacity, I'm sure. Society isn't getting any friendlier toward these kids in this day and age. So I've got to make sure I try to raise them the right way and be in their lives because football can take a lot away from your family."

Taylor also hinted that he may eventually return to the team he spent his first 13 years with. "I'm not a Jaguar now," he said. "But I will be again, someday. But right now, I'm not (Boston.com)."

I am getting the feeling that Taylor will be back this week to face his old team. He has been practicing for over 2 weeks now, and this could be the Patriots last meaningful game before the playoffs. I would love to see him out there again, because if he can help Maroney get the running game going (which has been a lot better), the Patriots could be much more balanced on offense going into the playoffs.