AFC Notes: Bengals, Chiefs, Jaguars, Texans

Bengals

• According to Katherine Terrell, Bengals CB Adam Jones underwent sports-hernia surgery on Friday.

Chiefs

Now that Alex Smith is out of the picture for the Chiefs, the attention turns to Patrick Mahomes, who will get his opportunity to lead the team starting in 2018.

“I know a ton’s been said over social media and things like that,” Mahomes said, via Terez Paylor of the Kansas City Star. “But for me, all I can do right now is just work as hard as I can if any opportunity comes.”

Jaguars

• Ryan O’Halloran of Jacksonville.com writes that any notion that Blake Bortles will have competition next year if he’s retained is ridiculous. O’Halloran says that Bortles will either enter the preseason as the starter with a veteran and/or draft pick as his backups or he won’t be on their roster.
• According to O’Halloran, Borltes should be able to pass a physical before March 14.
• Interestingly enough, O’Halloran mentions that one conspiracy theory about the Jaguars’ reluctance to comment on Bortles’ surgery is that his representatives leaked the news to tell other NFL teams he toughed it out in 2017 and will be healthy when free agency opens.
• O’Halloran notes that the Jaguars can free up $14 million of cap room by cutting WR Allen Hurns, RB Chris Ivory, P Brad Nortman and TE Mychal Rivera.
• As for the Jaguars’ offseason approach, O’Halloran thinks they will be shopping for discounts, even though they have needs at tight end, receiver, offensive line and linebacker.
• One player to watch for the Jaguars in the draft is Oklahoma TE Mark Andrews, who would be a “no-brainer choice” for Jacksonville at No. 29 overall, according to O’Halloran.

Texans

• Ian Rapoport reports that Texans QB Deshaun Watson (ACL) is “doing great” and expected to be “on the field throwing with his teammates during 7-on-7 drills” during OTAs.
• According to Rapsheet, Watson’s rehab has been “accelerated” and he should be a full-go for the start of training camp.