"Maybe Fred Taylor [stats] was truly ready to play last night against the Steelers after missing the previous four games with turf toe-related issues on both feet.

Maybe he wasn't.

Maybe Patriots coach Bill Belichick figured going up against the best rushing defense in the league, Taylor's presence wouldn't be significantly better than the tandem of BenJarvus green-Ellis and Danny Woodhead.

It's possible the game plan dictated one more week of rest, and having Taylor good-to-go next week against the Indianapolis Colts, a team that has struggled against the run. Heading into yesterday, the Colts were ranked 29th in rush defense, allowing 140.9 yards per game.

Keeping the ball away from Peyton Manning with ball control drives is going to be one of the objectives for the offense, so Taylor may be better utilized in that game if healthy.

Perhaps that factored into Belichick's thinking when he downgraded the running back late Saturday to inactive. Taylor had just gotten back to practice for the first time on Wednesday, so there will be a little more time for the 34-year-old veteran.

Whatever the case, the Patriots are still going to need Taylor down the road. While Green-Ellis has had some good moments and has given them the presence of a running attack in games against the Bills, Dolphins and Vikings, the Pats are going to need more, especially when the winter weather rolls around.

They're going to need Taylor. He's still the best running back on their roster. Even at his advanced age, he has the ability to provide more, if he can only stay healthy.

That's been the consistent knock on Taylor. It's plagued him his entire career. The "Fragile Fred" label followed him to Foxboro from Jacksonville, and as much as he hates it, it's hard to ignore all the missed games.

Taylor played in just six games last year, thanks to torn ankle ligaments. He came back this year determined to show he could still play and stay healthy. He started with a good game against Cincinnati in the season opener, gaining 71 yards on 14 carries, but then the turf toe kicked in. He only managed five and six carries, respectively, the next two games before being shut down."