AFC East Notes: Dolphins, Jets, Patriots

Dolphins

• Dolphins offensive coordinator Chad O’Shea said Tuesday that team’s poor play this season has the coaching staff re-evaluating everything they’re doing, even the practice drills they have players do to catch the ball. (Barry Jackson)
• Aaron Wilson reports that the Dolphins are scheduled to work out LB Brady Sheldon on Monday.

Jets

The Jets were hoping they’d be able to have LB C.J. Mosley back from a groin injury suffered in Week 1 in time to play against the Eagles this coming week. However, almost a month later Mosley’s groin is still bothering him and he’s looking less likely to practice or play this week. Groin injuries are infamous for being easy to re-injure, making it hard for Mosley to rush back. 

“Running straight ahead felt pretty good,” Mosley said via Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. “Cutting and those type of motions are still . . . up in the air. That’s the part where I can’t really test it out because if I do . . . if I hurt it more, then it will set me back more. That’s been the tricky part. Just figuring out how to try to test that full-speed motion without damaging it more.”

• Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer writes if the Jets are still winless in a few weeks, GM Joe Douglas could consider trading players like DL Leonard Williams to try and recoup draft picks. 
• Breer adds that the Jets would have hired Baylor HC Matt Rhule this offseason if he had been willing to hire former Bucs and current Browns OC Todd Monken to the same position instead of his preferred choice, then-Texans assistant Sean Ryan.
• The Jets also requested an interview with Iowa State HC Matt Campbell, though he turned them down. 
• Jets RB Le’Veon Bell received a $1 million roster bonus on Tuesday and has now been paid $12 million in bonuses since signing his four-year, $52.5 million contract. (Rich Cimini)
• Bell also has weekly roster bonuses of $31,250 for every game on the 46 and can make $14.5 million in total compensation if he stays healthy.
• Jets signed OL Brandon Hitner to their practice squad. (NFLTR)
• Jets waived TE Bucky Hodges from left squad list. 

Patriots

Patriots TE Ben Watson returns this week from his four-game suspension to a New England team desperate for help at tight end. As a whole, the position only has four catches in four games and Patriots OC Josh McDaniels expects Watson to step in and provide an immediate boost. 

“Well, Ben’s a versatile guy, he’s a smart guy. He’s certainly made a lot of plays in his career,” McDaniels said via Pro Football Talk. “Just gives an element of speed and experience at the tight end position. He’s been a productive guy, made plays under pressure. So, Ben’s coming back here; it was great to have him back this offseason into training camp, and hopefully we’ll be able to move forward with him in a role that suits his skillset and our team.”

• The Patriots worked out WR Jazz Ferguson, WR Kelvin McKnight and LB Sutton Smith. (Aaron Wilson)
• Patriots released WR Cameron Meredith from the PUP list. (NFLTR)
• Patriots waived OL Caleb Benenoch. (NFLTR)
• Patriots released LB Scooby Wright from their practice squad.