Packers: Lane Taylor signing one-year deal with Texans

The Green Bay Packers will be without another former starting offensive lineman in 2021.

Lane Taylor, who started 47 games for the Packers between 2015 and ’18, won’t be returning this season. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Taylor is signing a one-year deal with the Houston Texans.

It’s a shame as Taylor, when healthy, still has a lot to offer.

Last summer, he returned from a season-ending injury and won a starting guard job ahead of Billy Turner, who shifted to right tackle. But in the season opener, Taylor suffered a torn ACL and was out for the rest of the year.

Despite only playing in three games in the past two seasons, Taylor’s recent injuries can be put down to bad luck rather than because he’s injury prone. A torn bicep and torn ACL in consecutive years is about as unlucky as it gets, especially as both injuries happened early in the season.

Had Taylor returned to Green Bay this offseason, he would’ve again competed for a starting spot at guard. It would’ve given the Packers more flexibility. If Pro Bowler Elgton Jenkins or Lucas Patrick moved to center with Corey Linsley gone, Taylor would’ve been an experienced and talented option to start at either guard spot.

But after drafting three interior offensive linemen a year ago including Jon Runyan Jr., who impressed when he was on the field as a rookie, it seems the Packers are ready to move on with their young players.

It’s understandable, but re-signing Taylor would’ve been affordable and a smart move. As Rapoport noted, he will now be reunited with James Campen, who was the Packers’ offensive line coach for a decade.

We wish Taylor all the best with the Texans. Let’s hope the injuries are behind him and he can have a great season in Houston.