Hamstring injury will keep Jags' Taylor out against Pats

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Jaguars running back Fred Taylor will miss Sunday's game against New England because of a lingering hamstring injury.

Taylor, who hurt his right hamstring against Indianapolis on Dec. 10, aggravated the injury on his second carry last week at Tennessee and sat out the rest of the game. Taylor missed three days of practice this week, and coach Jack Del Rio downgraded him from questionable to out Friday.

"He's just not ready to go," Del Rio said. "We'll give him the weekend to rest it, and hopefully we'll have him back at practice next week."

Del Rio said rookie Maurice Drew will start in Taylor's place, and LaBrandon Toefield will serve as the backup.

Taylor had started the previous 14 games, gaining 1,120 yards and averaging a career-best 5.0 yards a carry. He was voted the AFC's first alternate in Pro Bowl balloting.

Taylor said he agreed with the decision to hold him out of Sunday's game.

"I think that it's the smart thing to do at this point," Taylor said. "For my future, my well being ... I don't want to rip it. I don't want to tear it. I have all the faith and confidence in my team to get this win on Sunday."