AFC East Notes: Bills, Dolphins, Jets, Patriots

Bills

• According to ESPN’s Marcel Louis-Jacques, a trade between the Bills and Texans for LB Jadeveon Clowney is unlikely despite the presence in Buffalo of former Texans GM Brian Gaine. 
• The Athletic’s Tim Graham also confirmed the report from a Bills source: “Nothing there.”
• Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer says the Bills’ staff is “the highest” on second-year ILB Tremaine Edmunds, who is reportedly “seeing everything faster” in his second season in the NFL. 
• Breer points out that Bills’ first-round DT Ed Oliver has “come as advertised” during practice this training camp. 
• Breer writes that third-round RB Devin Singletary has “picked up enough” to earn the team’s three-down back role by Week 1. Breer thinks that Singletary’s only weakness is that he is “not a home-run hitter” and he expects Buffalo to receive trade requests about their running backs. 
• As for their offensive line rotation, Breer writes that second-round OL Cody Ford can play right tackle or guard. (Albert Breer)
• Bills C Mitch Morse attended practice in pads for the first time since entering the concussion protocol on July 27. (Marcel Louis-Jacques)

Dolphins

The mother of Dolphins DB Minkah Fitzpatrick, Melissa, fired back at criticism of her son’s practice performance on social media Wednesday, saying “… Maybe it’s because he is not a [strong safety] and is being used to suit other people[’s] skill set, not his own.” 

Minkah acknowledged after practice that while he wished his mother had talked to him first, her observation was correct. 

“She’s not wrong,” Fitzpatrick said via Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald. “Coach has asked me do something right now. I got to do what they ask me to do. If we have to have some discussions in the future, we’ll have those discussions.”

Fitzpatrick played all over the field his rookie season, from free safety to outside corner to nickel. He’s expected to continue that this year but his current role at strong safety should only be temporary until Reshad Jones, T.J. McDonald and Walt Aikens come back from injuries. At 207 pounds, Fitzpatrick is smaller than the typical box safety. He says the team knows his strengths and doesn’t expect him to win every time against bigger tight ends. For now, he’s focused on rising to the challenge. 

“You just got to do it, man. If you resist it, you’re not going to play well,” he said. “If you think about playing somewhere else, you’re not going to make the most of your position. I’m not 215 pounds, 220 pounds. So playing in the box isn’t best suited for me, but that’s coach is asking me to do. I’m going to go out there and practice my hardest.”

• According to ESPN’s Cameron Wolfe, Dolphins RB Kenyan Drake was spotted in a walking boot after leaving practice Tuesday. 
• Drake says his injury is “nothing crazy” and shouldn’t derail his season: “I’ll be back.” (Wolfe)
• Dolphins HC Brian Flores says he is hopeful Miami will have Drake back in time for the season opener. (Armando Salguero)

Jets

The Jets depth at cornerback was thin to begin this season and has been pushed to the extreme in recent days. So much so that Pro Bowl S Jamal Adams volunteered to play at corner. So far, the team says they’re not that desperate, yet. 

“He can do it, there’s no doubt about it,” Jets DC Gregg Williams said via Pro Football Talk. “He’s a good enough athlete to do that. We haven’t even crossed that bridge right now with him because he’s learning other positions too but he’s a good enough athlete to do that, yes.”

Patriots

• ESPN’s Field Yates believes the Patriots won’t make the necessary investment to acquire Redskins OT Trent Williams, as LT Isaiah Wynn has returned to practice and the team has been giving reps to OT Dan Skipper on both sides. 
• Wynn says he’s 100 percent healthy and ready to start Week 1 if he’s asked, per NESN’s Doug Kyed.
• Patriots third-round RB Damien Harris has been dealing with a minor hand/wrist injury. (Jeff Howe)