Browns DT Phil Taylor shakes off cobwebs after 10-month layoff

While it was only a preseason game, Browns defensive tackle Phil Taylor enjoyed every minute of being back on the field for the first time since last November.

Taylor, who played just five games last season due to a knee injury, played 11 snaps with the first team in Saturday's third preseason game against Tampa Bay. It didn't take long for him to get back in the swing of things, using his enormous 335-pound frame to occupy blockers, freeing up Desmond Bryant to sack Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston on one occasion.

"It felt great to shake the cobwebs off," Taylor said after Saturday's game. 

Taylor, who will shift back to nose tackle from defensive end this season in a presumed rotation with first-round pick Danny Shelton, drew some praise from head coach Mike Pettine. 

"He did some good things," Pettine said via the team's official website. "That is more of a confidence test than anything out there to be able to go out there and know that it is full speed and push off of it and change direction and take on double teams. As limited as it was, it was good to get him out there playing."

Taylor was one of many injuries along the defensive line last season for the Browns, but depth is certainly not an issue with the addition of Shelton and free agent Randy Starks, among others. 

"“We’ve got depth on the D-Line now," Taylor said. “If anybody goes down or leaves the game or just needs a blow, we won’t miss a beat.”

h/t: Cleveland Browns