Memphis RB Patrick Taylor out against Tulane

In what's become a common refrain each week, Memphis running back Patrick Taylor will not play Saturday against Tulane despite making progress with his conditioning following his lower limb injury.

Taylor did not dress during warmups and has missed six consecutive games on the season. Memphis coach Mike Norvell has stressed that the senior will play this season and there are no plans as of now to redshirt him.

Norvell said Wednesday that Taylor is feeling more confident with his abilities and trusting his body as he participated in individual drills at practice before heading into the locker room for additional work.

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Taylor has not played since rushing for 128 yards in the season opener against Ole Miss. Memphis still has five regular-season games remaining on their schedule plus another bye week after their home game with SMU on Nov. 2.

Kenneth Gainwell will once again start for the Tigers on Saturday as he looks to build on a freshman season that saw him earn midseason All-American honors from the Associated Press and Sporting News.

If Gainwell rushes for 100 yards or more this week, he becomes the first Memphis freshman player to do so, breaking the previous freshman record of four 100-yard games held by DeAngelo Williams. 

Gainwell is also 37 yards away from having 1,000 all-purpose yards for the season. The Memphis freshman record is held by Tony Pollard, who had 1,534 all-purpose yards in 2016 and was named AAC Special Teams Player of the Year

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You can reach Tigers football beat writer Evan Barnes on Twitter (@Evan_B) or by email at evan.barnes@commercialappeal.com