AFC East Notes: Dolphins, Jets, Patriots

Dolphins

Dolphins HC Brian Flores believes RB Kenyan Drake is “physically and mentally ready” for Week 1 and will get “a lot of touches” on Sunday. 

“I think he’s both physically and mentally ready,” Flores said, via Joe Schad of the Palm Beach Post. “This is a guy who has as much talent as we have on our team. He’s fast. He’s physical. He’s explosive. He makes a lot of plays, and we’re looking forward to getting him a lot of touches this week.”

Drake feels that his play “needs to mirror” Flores’ trust with him and is focused on staying healthy. 

“My hard work needs to mirror that sentiment that he is trying to echo to me,” Drake said. “Like I said, continuing to harness my process and making sure that I am healthy to go out there and have those touches to help this team win games.”

Drake does not think he is hampered by a foot injury that kept him out of the Dolphins’ offseason program for three weeks. 

“If you all paid attention in camp, we were hitting a lot regardless, and it doesn’t really change with this season,” Drake said. “Even today, we were out there in full pads. You can only have a certain amount of full-padded practices during the season; but regardless, we are all thudding out there and we have shoulder pads and there is a physical way that we kind of practice. So, I don’t really feel like I have to go out there and press the subject in terms of getting hit or trying to feel my way around the game. Just go out there and play ball like I always do.”

• The Dolphins officially list CB Johnson Bademosi (hip), DE Charles Harris (wrist), DE Trent Harris (foot), G Danny Isidora (hamstring), CB Bobby McCain (shoulder), and WR Albert Wilson (hip, calf) as questionable for Week 1.

Jets

• Tom Pelissero reports that the Jets are paying RB Josh Adams ($25,000) and OL Calvin Anderson ($20,000) much higher weekly checks than the practice squad minimum of $8,000 per week. 
• The Jets officially list WR Robby Anderson (calf), WR Braxton Berrios (hamstring), and CB Trumaine Johnson (hamstring) as questionable for Week 1.

Patriots

Patriots WR Josh Gordon posted the following statement on his Twitter account Friday:

“Before the 2019 season starts, I would like to address an issue that arose toward the end of last season. It’s been well documented that I have battled substance abuse for quite some time. Unfortunately, I did not take the time to focus on a solution to my problem until this past year. I am eternally grateful for the constant support from the NFL, NFLPA and the Patriots organization. I also want to thank my family, friends and all the fans who supported me while I addressed this issue. Going forward, I will not be discussing the details of my past. I plan to focus on the present and getting better every day. I hope people will judge me on what I do now and in the future. I look forward to being a member of the Patriots once again this season and doing my part by contributing on and off the field.”

• Ben Volin reports that the Patriots are paying five players more than the practice squad minimum of $8,000 per week including LB Gerri Green ($18k), TE Stephen Anderson, ($17.5k) DT Najee Toran, ($16k), LB Calvin Munson ($12.5k) and DE Ufomba Kamalu ($10k).
• Volin notes that the Patriots will receive a $1.51 million next year cap credit in 2019 now that QB Brian Hoyer has signed a three-year, $12 million deal with the Colts. 
• The Patriots officially list TE Matt LaCosse (ankle), S Obi Melifonwu (ankle), WR Demaryius Thomas (hamstring) as questionable for Week 1.