AFC Notes: Bengals, Broncos, Dolphins, Jaguars

Bengals

• Chris Simms of B/R mentioned during a recent podcast that the Bengals were thinking about signing QB Colin Kaepernick after their trade that would have sent A.J. McCarron to the Browns would have become official.
• However, Katherine Terrell of ESPN says that this report is not accurate. Terrell adds that Cincinnati did have a quarterback in mind to sign had they traded McCarron, but it wasn’t Kaepernick.
• For what it’s worth, the Bengals previously worked out Matt Barkley and Matt McGloin a month ago.

Broncos

Broncos CB Chris Harris believes the defense has taken a step back without former S T.J. Ward, who was released in September and later signed by the Buccaneers.

“I think it has [affected us],” Harris said, via Denver’s 104.3 The Fan, via Pro Football Talk. “You can see it in our play.”

Dolphins

Dolphins HC Adam Gase believes the team’s running game is headed in the right direction, regardless of trading former RB Jay Ajayi.

“I like where our run game is heading,” Gase said, via James Walker of ESPN. “We were able to do a couple things where we popped a big one. … I think it makes a difference.”

Jaguars

Jaguars VP of Football Operations Tom Coughlin released a statement Tuesday, defending CB Jalen Ramsey for his role in the altercation with Bengals WR A.J. Green last week.

“Our players are instructed to not retaliate or get involved or do anything that would result in eviction because that would hurt the team,” Coughlin said. “Team comes first, and Jalen was trying to not hurt his team. While he did push his opponent — something that happened with other players during the game — he did not retaliate, he threw no punches, and he did not fight back. Jalen was doing what Coach [Doug] Marrone has instructed him to do, which is to play tough, be physical and to make every play difficult for his opponent. There was banter going back and forth during the game, but Jalen was playing football within the rules.”