AFC East Notes: Dolphins, Jets, Patriots

Dolphins

• On Wednesday, Dolphins QB Josh Rosen said that he’s treating the final 12 weeks of the season as an extended tryout. 
• However, Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald writes “it’s practically guaranteed” that Rosen will be the Dolphins quarterback into next season, given that he’s still playing on a cheap rookie contract. 
• Miami is almost certain to draft a quarterback next year, but Rosen should still get the opportunity to compete for the job next summer. Salguero adds that unless there’s a coaching change, Rosen could end up having a leg up on a rookie after a year in their system. 
• Salguero mentions that the Dolphins will begin bringing in more talent next offseason, which would give Rosen a better opportunity to play at a higher level. 

Jets

It’s fair to say the Jets are expecting QB Sam Darnold to come in and save their season after a miserable winless start to 2019 by New York while their franchise quarterback sat out with mono. However, Jets RB Le’Veon Bell cautioned that those types of expectations for a young passer entering just his second season could be harmful. 

“We can’t expect Sam to just go out there and be Superman, obviously,” Bell said via NorthJersey.com’s Andy Vasquez. “We know he’s a great player and he’s going to make a lot of plays, but guys still gotta do their job. We’ve still got to protect him, we’ve still got to make plays for him, we’ve got to make sure we get all the calls in, everybody’s got to line up and make his job easier so he doesn’t have to think too much.”

• Jets HC Adam Gase says Darnold’s spleen is fine and the quarterback isn’t at risk playing Sunday against the Cowboys: “We should be good. He shouldn’t be dying on the field.” (Connor Hughes)
• Darnold confirmed this: “The spleen’s good… When I do get hit, I know I’m not in danger anymore. They’re letting me go out there and play because it’s safe. I’m not worried about that.” (Hughes)
• Jets TE Chris Herndon will likely miss this week and next week recovering from his hamstring strain. (Ian Rapoport)
• While Jets CB Nate Hairston‘s knee swelled up before the game last week, Gase says the plan going into the game was to start CB Trumaine Johnson. (Rich Cimini)
• Gase mentioned Jets G Kelechi Osemele might be out a while after knee and shoulder issues knocked him out of last week’s game: “When you get veteran offensive linemen and they get banged up a little bit, it’s not easy to come back and stay on the field.” (Cimini)
• Gase noted they would like to involve backup RBs Ty Montgomery and Bilal Powell more in the offense, but have been limited by not being able to stay on the field and run more plays. (Brian Costello)
• Jets S Jamal Adams won his appeal of a $21,056 fine for his hit on Browns QB Baker Mayfield a few weeks ago. (Tom Pelissero)

Patriots

• NESN’s Doug Kyed mentions the Patriots should inquire with the Buccaneers about TE O.J. Howard, who has been de-emphasized under HC Bruce Arians in Tampa Bay. 
• He adds Broncos WR Emmanuel Sanders makes the most sense as a potential trade-deadline target to improve the offense. 
• Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer mentions Bengals TE Tyler Eifert and Falcons TE Austin Hooper as potential trade targets for the Patriots at the deadline. 
• Patriots RB Rex Burkhead is not expected to suit up for the Patriots against the Giants tonight along with WR Phillip Dorsett. (Adam Schefter)