NFL Notes: Eagles, Patriots, Steelers, Titans

Eagles

Eliot Shorr-Parks of NJ.com writes that the recent contract extension given out to WR Alshon Jeffery (NFLTR) will lead to some offseason cuts for the Eagles.

• According to Shorr-Parks, the players worth keeping an eye on for Philadelphia as potential cap casualties include DE Vinny Curry, LT Jason Peters, QB Nick Foles, LB Mychal Kendricks, WR Torrey Smith and TE Brent Celek.
• Of this group, Shorr Parks says it would be “surprising” to see Smith or Celek back next year, as the Eagles could pick up $9 million by releasing them.
• Foles seems like an obvious candidate, considering that he’ll carry a $7.6 million cap hit in 2018. However, Shorr-Parks points out that Philadelphia would only pick up $2 million by releasing him, which could lead to the team making him available for trade.

Patriots

• The New England Patriots officially downgrade DE Trey Flowers (rib) and LB Trevor Reilly (concussion) to out for Week 13’s game against the Bills.

Steelers

• The Steelers listed WR Antonio Brown as questionable for Week 13 and have S Mike Mitchell down as doubtful and TE Vance McDonald declared out.

Titans

• Cameron Wolfe of ESPN writes that the Titans’ offensive scheme is designed to protect QB Marcus Mariota “to an extent.”
• Titans HC Mike Mularkey admitted earlier this week that there is a limit to the number of run-pass options and read-option plays they have every week in order to protect Mariota from excessive hits.
• Wolfe points out that this is also why DeMarco Murray continues to see a solid number of snaps, due to him being a superior pass-protector than Derrick Henry.