Apparently, when New York Jets outside linebacker Jason Taylor spoke with a small group of reporters after Sunday's victory over the New England Patriots, he had a concussion.

Taylor seemed fine a half hour after the game, but Jets head coach Rex Ryan revealed the veteran pass-rusher missed Wednesday's practice because of a head injury. Ryan added Taylor already has been cleared to work out and will play Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Championship Game at Heinz Field.

Good thing for Taylor. Pittsburgh is his hometown, and he can clinch his first Super Bowl trip right there. For the first time in a decorated 14-year career, he is one victory away.

"It's great," Taylor said in the visitors' locker room at Gillette Stadium. "This is why I came up here. ... It wasn't easy, but I didn't come here just for this. This is just the next step to where we're trying to go and where I'm trying to go personally.

"This is big."

Taylor went to the playoffs each of his first five seasons with the Miami Dolphins but never advanced past the divisional round. His career postseason record before joining the Jets was 3-5. He hadn't been to the playoffs since 2001 and hadn't won since 2000.

Now Taylor has a pair of victories in his only season with the Jets and a glorious opportunity to punch a Super Bowl ticket.

Taylor wanted to return to the Dolphins this year, but they wouldn't commit to him until after the draft -- if at all.

With no guarantees, he signed with the only team that pursued him regardless of his past hatred for all things Jets -- from the "J-E-T-S! Jets! Jets! Jets!" chant to Fireman Ed to the old Meadowlands Stadium.

"Yeah, it was worth it," Taylor said of jumping from the Dolphins to the Jets. "There really was no decision. I wasn't wanted. I was wanted here, and thank God I was. I'm loving it."