AFC East Notes: Bills, Dolphins, Jets, Patriots

Bills

Bills rookie QB Josh Allen put in a limited practice on Wednesday and was seen throwing the ball, even though he had his injured right elbow wrapped.

Allen said that he “felt good throwing the ball” and is “anxious” to return.

“Things were just starting to slow down for me, so I’m anxious to get back out there and see if that continues,” Allen said, via the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle. “With the help of [those around me], I think it will.”

Dolphins

• Albert Breer reports that the NFL fined the Dolphins $30,000 and HC Adam Gase $15,000 for mishandling Ryan Tannehill’s status on the Week 6 injury report after he missed a “couple reps” but was listed as a full participant.
• The Dolphins announced that they have been “fully cooperative” with the NFL and have no further comments on the matter: “We have been fully cooperative and transparent with the NFL throughout this process. We received the penalties imposed and will have no further comment.” (Armando Salguero)

Jets

If he’s unable to suit up for Sunday’s game due to a foot strain, Jets QB Sam Darnold says he plans to treat the game as a learning experience.

“Obviously, I want to be out there with the guys. I want to go out there and play,” Darnold said, via Newsday.com. “Hopefully if I’m able to go out there and play Sunday, I will. If not, I’m just going to treat it as another learning experience. When adversity hits, it’s up to me on how to respond. That’s all I need to worry about.”

Josh McCown made it clear that he’s ready to go if needed and plans to play at a high level.

“Part of being in professional football is the expectation is to go out and play at a high level,” McCown said. “That can’t be allowed to be an excuse and it won’t be. I’ll go out and expect to play to my standard and to the standard of this football team and win a football game.”

• Jets CB Trumaine Johnson said he expects to play on Sunday after missing the past five games with a quad injury. (Brian Costello)

Patriots

• Albert Breer says he’s spoken to teams around the NFL who have said that Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski doesn’t look like he can run anymore.
• Breer thinks Gronkowski will be able to return to form at some point this year, but he expects there to be more talk about him retiring after this season.
• Ben Volin reports that the Patriots signed DB Obi Melifonwu to a two-year deal worth up to $825,000 in 2019 and includes $100,000 guaranteed. Melifonwu also has a $25,000 workout bonus, a $30,000 bonus for making the team, and $125,000 in per-game bonuses.