AFC East Notes: Bills, Dolphins, Jets, Patriots

Bills

Bills K Stephen Hauschka was asked about the team’s decision to place a waiver claim for K Chase McLaughlin on Thursday, despite losing him to the Colts.  

“I’m just focusing on my job and working on getting into a rhythm with Heath (Farwell) and Reid (Ferguson) and just blocking it out,” Hauschka said, via The Athletic. 

Hauschka added that it’s “pretty clear” what the team’s intentions were in regards to his status with the team. 

“I mean, I don’t really know how to comment on that, obviously, with what their intentions were there,” Hauschka said. “I don’t really know what their intentions were. I can’t speak on that. All I know is what I’m working on.

“I’ll probably want to know what their intentions were, but I think it’s pretty clear.”

• OUT for Week 14: T Ty Nsekhe (ankle)

Dolphins

Regarding the decision to cut sixth-round OT Isaiah Prince on Thursday, Dolphins HC Brian Flores said it was a difficult move for them to make.

“Any time you have to release a player it’s difficult; Isaiah was a difficult one,” Flores said, via Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. “Players can do everything right and play to the best of their ability. It doesn’t work out sometimes. Isaiah worked extremely hard, made a lot of improvement. I think he’s got a future in football.”

• As for the decision to claim WR Mack Hollins off waivers from the Eagles, Flores said: “He’s a tough, physical wide receiver. He’s had some production offensively and in the kicking game. We like him. You can see he has a lot of ability as a receiver, fast, big, has good hands. He blocks.”
• Flores addressed another notable waiver claim from this past week in RB Zach Zenner by saying: “Big back, had production in this league, played in the kicking game. After we lost Kalen Ballage, we needed a back who could play in the kicking game and give us some snaps offensively.”

Jets

• OUT for Week 14: CB Brian Poole (concussion)
• DOUBTFUL for Week 14: S Jamal Adams (ankle), T Chuma Edoga (knee), S Matthias Farley (ankle, rib), CB Arthur Maulet (calf)
• QUESTIONABLE for Week 14: DE Henry Anderson (shoulder), T Kelvin Beachum (ankles), RB Le’Veon Bell (illness), CB Maurice Canady (illness, quadricep), TE Ryan Griffin (illness), DT Steve McLendon (knee, hip), WR Demaryius Thomas (hamstring), LB Paul Worrilow (quadricep)

Patriots

Patriots QB Tom Brady is dealing with toe and elbow injuries, according to the latest injury report. However, Brady says he’s fine and “doing pretty good” in terms of his health. 

“That might be the first time my toe’s been on the injury report,” Brady said, via NESN.com. “So, you know us Patriots. We’re pretty diligent about listing everything. So, I guess you have to make mention of my toe now, as well. . . . Isn’t there some HIPAA violation or something like that when I start talking about all of my injuries? I’m doing pretty good. I’m doing pretty good. At this time of the year, I’ll take it. I’ll take anything if I’m still able to go out there and feel like I can play my best. I’m feeling really good, really positive about this weekend.”

Brady’s father was asked about the questions regarding his son’s future with the Patriots and said: “It’s  hard for me to envision him playing somewhere else.”

“You know, I don’t know,” Brady Sr. told Karen Guregian of the Boston Herald. “It’s hard for me to envision him playing somewhere else. He wants to play. But ultimately, it’s Bill’s decision. Nobody really knows. Bill doesn’t tip his hand. There’s just been insinuations here and there. This is really kind of between those two. They got to decide what they want.”

• As for the possibility of Bill Belichick and the Patriots moving on, Brady Sr said: “If Bill says he doesn’t want Tommy, and Tommy wants to play, well, Joe Montana went to Kansas City. Just because Bill decides he wants to move on, that won’t dictate Tommy’s future. I’m sure there are a few other teams in the league that would want him.”
• QUESTIONABLE for Week 14: LB Ja’Whaun Bentley (knee), T Marcus Cannon (illness), S Patrick Chung (heel), DT Byron Cowart (head), WR Julian Edelman (shoulder), C Ted Karras (knee), CB Jason McCourty (groin), WR Mohamed Sanu (ankle)