Browns defensive tackle Phil Taylor had surgery to repair a torn pectoral muscle he injured while lifting weights, and the Browns say the surgery went well and Taylor is recovering at the Cleveland Clinic.
There’s also good news for Browns fans coming from a league source who told the Cleveland Plain Dealer that “everybody’s optimistic he’s going to have a significant impact on the team this season.”
Browns coach Pat Shurmur said Taylor will need “months, not weeks” to recover. It sounds like the Browns don’t expect him on the field at the start of the season but do expect him on the field before the end of the season. A six-month recovery time would have Taylor back in November.
Taylor was a first-round draft pick last year who started all 16 games and had an impressive rookie season. His injury means the Browns will lean more heavily on their two rookie defensive tackles, third-round pick John Hughes and sixth-round pick Billy Winn.