Former Tennessee Vols standout unexpectedly lands with NFL playoff team ahead of the divisional round
A former Tennessee Vols standout could be playing in the NFL playoffs this weekend.
A former Tennessee Vols standout could unexpectedly be playing in the divisional round of the NFL playoffs.
The New England Patriots reportedly signed former Vols EDGE Darrell Taylor to their practice squad on Wednesday.
According to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, there’s a “strong possibility” that Taylor will be elevated for the Patriots’ matchup on Sunday against the Houston Texans.
Taylor played for the Texans in 2025, but he was released earlier this month.
Darrell Taylor is in his sixth season in the NFL
Taylor, who played for the Vols from 2015 to 2019, is in his sixth season in the NFL.
The Virginia native was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Taylor spent four seasons in Seattle before landing with the Chicago Bears in 2024.
Taylor has totaled 126 tackles, 24.5 sacks, eight forced fumbles, and five passes defensed since entering the NFL in 2020.
The former Vol’s two most memorable moments in his career, however, had nothing to do with making a play.
In 2016, Taylor went viral for his famous “we gonna whoop they f—ing ass” quote before Tennessee’s win against Virginia Tech at Bristol Motor Speedway.
Another memorable moment came in 2022 when the Seahawks intercepted a pass and Taylor ran onto the field to celebrate, thinking the play was over.
The play, though, was not over. So Taylor started throwing some blocks.
There’s no telling what we may see if Taylor is activated for the Patriots’ game against the Texans.
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