Phil Taylor injury: Browns DT finally ready to make season debut

Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Phil Taylor is set to make his 2012 debut on Sunday after missing Cleveland's first eight games with a torn pectoral muscle.

Taylor suffered the injury in May when he was lifting weights, and he underwent surgery to repair the torn muscle on May 16. Originally, it was believed that Taylor could miss up to 12 games, but Taylor will only miss eight games after a quick recovery.

Cleveland drafted Taylor with the No. 21 pick in the 2011 NFL Draft out of Baylor University. Taylor was named to the Pro-Football Weekly All-Rookie team in 2011.

Taylor's return comes at a fortunate time for the Browns, as Cleveland prepares to take on Ray Rice and the Baltimore Ravens. Cleveland was without defensive tackle Ahtyba Rubin in Week 8, as Rubin was forced to sit out Cleveland's contest against the San Diego Chargers with a calf injury.

Taylor's return will help bolster a run defense that ranks 24th in the league. Opponents have averaged 131.6 yards per game on the ground against the Browns this year.

This story originally appeared on SBNation.com.