J.J. Taylor

J.J. Taylor was signed by the New England Patriots to the 53-man roster from the practice squad on Sept. 8, 2020 ... Originally signed by New England as a rookie free agent (5/5/20) ... Released by New England (9/5/20) ... Signed by New England to the practice squad (9/6/20).

CAREER TRANSACTIONS

J.J. Taylor was signed by the New England Patriots to the 53-man roster from the practice squad on Sept. 8, 2020 ... Originally signed by New England as a rookie free agent (5/5/20) ... Released by New England (9/5/20) ... Signed by New England to the practice squad (9/6/20).

SEASONAL REVIEW

2021 (5/0, 0/0)

• Inactive for the regular season opener vs. Miami (9/12).
• Saw limited action at running back as a reserve at N.Y. Jets (9/19). Recorded his first carry of the season and had two rushes for three yards.
• Played in a reserve role at running back vs. New Orleans (9/26) after James White went down with an injury.
• Recorded one reception and one carry vs. Tampa Bay (10/3). Also lined up as a kickoff returner.
• Inactive at Houston (10/10) and vs. Dallas (10/17).
• Scored his first two NFL touchdowns in the fourth quarter vs. N.Y. Jets (10/24) on a pair of 1-yard touchdown runs.
• Inactive at L.A. Chargers (10/31), at Carolina (11/7), at Atlanta (11/18) and vs. Tennessee (11/28).
• Recorded 11 yards on six rushing attempts vs. Cleveland (11/14).
• Placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list on Nov. 30.
• Dressed, but did not play vs. Buffalo (12/26).
• Inactive vs. Jacksonville (1/2) and Miami (1/9).

2020 (6/0)

• Made the Patriots 53-man roster, ensuring that an undrafted rookie made the opening day roster for the 17th straight season, the third-longest streak in the NFL.
• Played in six games as a reserve and registered 23 rushing attempts for 110 yards. Also caught one pass for 4 yards. Returned four kickoffs for 87 yards and one punt for 11 yards.
• Was inactive for eight games and active but did not play for two others.
• Made his NFL debut in the season opening win over Miami (9/13), posting four rushing attempts for 28 yards and caught one pass for 4 yards.
• Entered as a reserve running back, had one carry for -1 yards. Amassed 69 yards on three kickoff returns, his longest return going for 28 yards in a loss at Seattle (9/20).
• rushed for a career high 43 yards on 11 carries in a Week 3 win vs. Las Vegas 99/27). Returned one punt for 11 yards.
• Dressed but did not play for Week 4 Kansas City (10/5).
• Was inactive Week 6 vs. Denver (10/18) and Week 7 vs (10/28).
• Dressed but did not play at Buffalo (11/1)
• Was inactive due to illness Week 9at the Jets (11/9).
• Was inactive Week 10 vs. Baltimore (11/15), Week 11 at Houston (11/22), Week 12 vs. Arizona (11/29), Week 13 at the LA Chargers (12/6), and Week 14 at the Rams (12/10).
• Played Week 15 at Miami for first game since Week 3 win vs. Las Vegas on Sept. 27. Had one carry for two yards in the third quarter.
• Compiled 38 yards rushing on six carries including a 28-yard run that put the ball at the Buffalo 12 yard line as part of a Week 16 loss vs. the Bills (12/28). Two plays later, Cam Newton Scampered into the end zone for the only Patriots touchdown all day
• Saw limited snaps at running back and returned the opening kickoff for 18 yards in a Week 17 win vs. the Jets (1/3).

COLLEGE

• Ran for 3,263 yards with 18 touchdowns, caught 62 passes for 487 yards with two touchdowns and returned 41 kicks for 988 yards with one touchdown during his career at Arizona.
• Ran for 721 yards with five touchdowns and caught 32 passes for 289 yards as a redshirt junior in 2019.
• Named a third-team All-American by the Associated Press as an all-purpose player in 2018. Was also an All-Pac-12 First Team selection at running back. Started all 12 games and rushed for 1,434 yards, which was fourth-most in Arizona single-season history and ranked No. 7 in FBS.
• Named Pac-12 Co-Offensive Freshman of the Year in 2017. Played in 13 games and totaled 847 rushing yards and scored seven touchdowns, including five rushing and two receiving.
• Played in four games with one start as a true freshman before suffering an injury and missing the rest of the season. Totaled 261 yards and two scores on 38 carries.

PERSONAL

• Son of Joseph and Latrese Taylor.
• Has three brothers, Jovon, Andrey and Andrew and two sisters, Janae and Starr.
• Gained 2,290 and 44 touchdowns as a senior, earning California All-Inland First Team honors.
• Majored in literacy, learning & leadership at Arizona.