AFC East Notes: Bills, Jets, Patriots

Bills

If Bills QB Josh Allen can’t clear the concussion protocol in time for Sunday’s game against the Titans, which is looking more and more likely, Buffalo will turn again to QB Matt Barkley. The veteran backup saw some time last season in relief of Allen as well and says he’s growing more accustomed to the Bills offense. 

“I think this is the most comfortable I’ve felt with an offense at this point and I’m playing free really,” Barkley said via Chris Brown of the team’s website. “I’m taking what the defense gives me. Taking shots when I have to, but when it’s smart to, not really forcing anything.”

• According to ESPN’s Marcel Louis-Jacques, Allen remains in the concussion protocol but did throw at practice for the second straight day. 
• He adds that the Bills have not worked out any free agent quarterbacks, which would definitely suggest Allen would miss Sunday’s game. 
• Bills HC Sean McDermott said third-round rookie RB Devin Singletary returned to practice, but the team could be cautious and hold him out with a bye coming up next week. 

Jets

• According to ESPN’s Rich Cimini, Jets GM Joe Douglas will have a major say in whether or not QB Sam Darnold plays this Sunday if he receives clearance from the doctors in order to provide a long-term perspective to help balance HC Adam Gase‘s more short-term one. 
• Darnold took most of the first-team reps in practice on Wednesday. (Manish Mehta)
• Gase says Darnold looks good and it’s just going to come down to if the doctors clear him for contact: “It’s just all going to be about test results.” (Mike Garafolo)
• For his part, Darnold says he feels like he could play. He’s also wearing customized padding around his midsection: “I feel like I’m good enough to play. My energy’s great.” (Mehta)
• To the best of his knowledge, Darnold says his spleen seems to be less swollen: “It’s good, I think. I don’t really know.” (Connor Hughes)
• Darnold adds he’s also going to defer to the doctors, as he wants to make sure “I don’t die” from playing with a swollen spleen: “Football is a crazy game but I want to make sure I’m safe.” (Garafolo)
• Jets LBs C.J. Mosley and Jordan Jenkins missed practice Thursday, while first-round rookie DT Quinnen Williams was limited. (Mehta)
• Jets G Kelechi Osemele also missed practice with knee and shoulder injuries and Gase said he was “pretty banged up.” He’s undergoing tests to see how long he’ll be out. (Cimini)

Patriots

• Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer mentions Patriots DC Jerod Mayo as someone who could draw interest as a coaching candidate going forward. 
• The Patriots have hosted free-agent WR Ryan Grant for both a workout and a visit in the past week, making him apparently near the top of their emergency list at wide receiver. (Ben Volin)
• Mike Garafolo reports that free agent Kaare Vedvik turned down a workout invitation from the Patriots as a kicker because he is focusing on improving as a punter and as a kickoff specialist.