Northwestern superback Jayme Taylor out for season with ankle injury

Northwestern redshirt sophomore superback Jayme Taylor has been ruled out for the entire 2015 season with an ankle injury.

Taylor sustained the injury midway through Saturday's scrimmage in Kenosha, and had to be helped off the field.

Taylor was likely third on the superback depth chart behind senior Dan Vitale and sophomore Garrett Dickerson. However, he was expected to play a supplementary role as a pass-catcher. He finished last season with 9 receptions for 45 yards, and, memorably, threw a touchdown to Trevor Siemian in the season opener against Cal.

Taylor was also elected to Northwestern's 14-player Leadership Council prior to spring practice.

It's a tough blow for Taylor, but one that Northwestern can certainly cope with. Dickerson, one of Northwestern's highest rated recruits ever under Pat Fitzgerald, has been the subject of glowing reports this offseason, and could be ready to see a big spike in usage.

Dickerson, a four-star recruit, had offers from Alabama, Florida State, Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State, Wisconsin, Stanford, Tennessee, South Carolina, and many others. He's a big, physically-imposing target, and has apparently slimmed down this offseason, meaning Northwestern could be preparing to use him more as a receiver.

Taylor's injury probably leaves the third spot on the depth chart to senior Mark Szott, but Szott is not expected to have a big role.

Taylor's injury is the only major injury of note sustained by a Northwestern player in Kenosha this year.