Steelers CB Ike Taylor has been targeted 44 times, allowing 24 catches for 392 yards and four touchdowns through the season's first five games.

Through five games in 2011, Taylor allowed just three catches for 24 yards, so his play has gone into an absolute free-fall. In Thursday night's loss against the Titans, Matt Hasselbeck targeted Taylor nearly one-third of the time. Per Pro Football Focus, Taylor has graded out as one of the league's worst corners in 2012. Only Chicago's Tim Jennings and Miami's Sean Smith have been thrown at more. Look for the Bengals and A.J. Green to work on Taylor early and often in Week 7.

Steelers CB Ike Taylor leads the NFL with four pass interference penalties this season.

Taylor extended a fourth-quarter drive with a holding penalty in Thursday's loss and allowed a 5-yard touchdown to Kenny Britt. He was also picked on for a 31-yard pass and the P.I. penalty, which led to a pair of first-quarter field goals. It wouldn't be quite so bad if Taylor was making plays. First-time starter Keenan Lewis has outplayed the declining 32-year-old this season.

In addition to Lawrence Timmons and LaMarr Woodley, the Steelers have reworked RCB Ike Taylor's contract to bring down his cap number.

Keep in mind that "reworking" deals does not constitute a pay cut or make these contracts easier to handle in the long run. Taylor, Timmons, and Woodley are becoming even bigger long-term cap burdens. Per PFT's Mike Florio, Taylor's scheduled $5.75 million 2012 salary dropped to $825,000, and he was immediately paid a $4.975 million signing bonus to make up the difference. That new "signing bonus" will be prorated into 2012, 2013, and 2014.

Coach Mike Tomlin hinted that Ike Taylor will be assigned to Wes Welker in next week's game against the Patriots.

Taylor has been impressive this season and held Larry Fitzgerald to four catches for 78 yards yesterday. After the game, Tomlin saw Taylor and yelled, "Ike Taylor! Wes Welker! See you at work tomorrow!" Taylor normally plays on the right side, but the Steelers may move him around in an effort to slow down the red-hot Welker.

Steelers RCB Ike Taylor has yet to allow a reception longer than 11 yards this season.

In numbers compiled by the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Andre Johnson's 23 yards lead all receivers going against Taylor this season. The rest of the list: Reggie Wayne (11 yards), Nate Washington (11 yards), Big Mike Williams (9 yards), Damian Williams (8 yards), and Pierre Garcon (-2 yards). Taylor will likely see most of his action against Jags WR Mike Thomas this week.

Ike Taylor (thumb surgery) remains on track to play in Week 1.

Taylor will sit out the final two preseason games, but it's not a major concern. He's been practicing fully with a protective cast for the last week-plus.

Steelers RCB Ike Taylor will undergo surgery on his left thumb Tuesday.

Taylor broke his thumb on the second play of the Steelers' preseason opener. Coach Mike Tomlin originally set Taylor's timetable at 2-3 weeks. He was evasive Sunday when asked if that estimate had changed following news that Taylor will require surgery. Beat writers fully expect the Steelers' top corner to play in Week 1.

A team source tells beat writer Gerry Dulac that Steelers RCB Ike Taylor will "probably" have surgery on his broken thumb.

Taylor will be "out about 3 weeks," though this really isn't a concern for the veteran. The young corners on the depth chart will get much needed reps in his absence, and he should be mended up in time for Week 1 of the regular season.

Steelers RCB Ike Taylor suffered a broken thumb in Friday night's preseason opener against the Redskins.

The injury might be a concern if it happened during the season, but Taylor has nearly a month to recover and will probably even be able to practice in a cast. The Steelers' young reserve cornerbacks could use the extra reps, anyhow.

Steelers agreed to terms with CB Ike Taylor on a four-year contract.

According to Yahoo! Sports' Jason Cole, there is a "good chance" free agent CB Ike Taylor will re-sign with the Steelers.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette confirms that Taylor is the Steelers' No. 1 priority in free agency. Despite Taylor's comments about playing the field, it's still believed that a return to Pittsburgh is his top choice.

Beat writer Ed Bouchette is no longer "100 percent" confident that free agent Ike Taylor will re-sign with the Steelers.

"Ike Taylor is obviously their best cornerback, but he's become Mel Blount over the past two months," said Bouchette. "I don't put him in that category." Bouchette has been confident all offseason that Taylor will re-sign, but the Steelers are going to have more competition for his services than originally expected.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette confirms that free agent Ike Taylor will be the Steelers' top priority once the lockout is lifted.

No surprise there. Despite Taylor's recent comments to the contrary, the interest is mutual. The nine-year veteran's preference is to return to Pittsburgh, but he wants to ensure that the Steelers are willing to pay the market rate. If Taylor escapes, the Steelers could be interested in Carlos Rogers or Chris Carr.

Multiple sources tell FOX Sports' Adam Caplan that the Eagles intend to show "strong interest" in free agent CB Ike Taylor.

Caplan has a better read on the Eagles than any team. Per his report, the Eagles are considering using more zone concepts in the secondary this year, and Taylor learned similar principles under Dick LeBeau in Pittsburgh. Taylor has ideal size for zone coverage at 6-foot-2, 195, and he'll be a cheaper option than Nnamdi Asomugha. Taylor has also played right corner predominantly in his career. The Eagles need a bookend for LCB Asante Samuel.

ArizonaSports.com's Ron Wolfley suggests the Cardinals could be interested in free agent CB Ike Taylor if Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie ends up being traded for Kevin Kolb.

That's a big "if." The idea is that Taylor would act as a mentor to first-rounder Patrick Peterson while showing Arizona's secondary the ropes in Ray Horton's defense. More likely, Taylor would use the Cardinals to drive up the price on the Steelers.

Free agent Ike Taylor said Friday that he's open to any opportunity.

Said Taylor, "I see myself being anywhere I need to be. Wherever you put me, I'm going to make home." We read that as: If you pay me, I will come. Considering Taylor is already a 2x Super Bowl champion, it's not exactly surprising that he'd be willing to play for a non-contender if it means more money. He'll be in a line for a big payday, with the Lions, Eagles, Redskins and Texans as possible landing sports.

Free agent Ike Taylor has been working out with Steelers teammates James Farrior and William Gay this offseason.

Taylor has let it be known that he intends to test the open market once the transactions freeze is lifted, but it has to be at least a little bit encouraging for Steelers fans that he's still working out with his long-time teammates during the lockout. The odds remain high that he is back in Pittsburgh in 2011.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Ed Bouchette still "strongly" believes Ike Taylor will re-sign with the Steelers after the free agent made it clear Wednesday that he will test the open market.

Taylor changed course on national TV Wednesday after telling local media that he wants to return to Pittsburgh. "That appearance was so obviously set up by his people to show that Taylor would be willing to go elsewhere if the Steelers do not pony up," writes Bouchette. The Steelers are going to have to pay upwards of $6-7 million per over at least three years.

Free agent Ike Taylor indicated on The Jim Rome Show Wednesday that he fully intends to test the open market.

According to Profootballtalk.com, free agent Ike Taylor "fully intends" to test the open market whenever the transactions freeze is finally lifted.

The word comes from a "source with knowledge of the situation." The consensus this offseason has been that Taylor will be back in Pittsburgh, particularly after the Steelers did not take a cornerback in the first two rounds of the draft. However, it doesn't sound like he's prepared to give his long-time club any sort of a discount.