CLEVELAND – The Browns' defense got a whole lot bigger, and a whole lot healthier.
Massive tackle Phil Taylor was activated Friday from the physically-unable-to-perform list and will play Sunday against Baltimore.
It will be Taylor's season debut after missing Cleveland's first eight games after undergoing surgery on a torn chest muscle he hurt lifting weights in May. The 335-pounder practiced all week and coach Pat Shurmur said Friday that Taylor's "ready to go" against the Ravens. Taylor's return will help offset the loss of underrated tackle Ahtyba Rubin, who will miss his second game in a row with a calf injury.
A first-round pick in 2011, Taylor made 16 starts as a rookie in 2011 and made 59 tackles and four sacks. The Browns have missed his size inside, where they've had to use rookies Billy Winn and John Hughes.
"It's great to have Phil back," defensive coordinator Dick Jauron said. "As of now, he'll certainly rotate into the game. We'll see how much he can go. We don't want to overdo it. He's had two weeks of work and it's been a long season. He'll definitely work in, and we're really excited about seeing him back."
Also, the Browns placed Brian Sanford on injured reserve. He spent the first seven weeks on the club's practice squad, before playing last week in a win over San Diego.
Defensive lineman Ronnie Cameron was promoted from the practice squad to the active roster.
Wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi practiced all week and will likely play Sunday. He has missed the last five games with a hamstring injury.
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