AFC North Notes: Bengals, Browns, Ravens, Steelers

Bengals

Bengals HC Zac Taylor said fourth-round QB Ryan Finley is “capable” of succeeding in the NFL and must face “starting defenses”.

“Everything that I’ve seen from Ryan shows us that he’s capable,” Taylor said, via Ben Baby of ESPN. “Again, you have to get into some games against some starting defenses to know what you have there, and that’s what we’ll find out.”

Bengals WR Tyler Boyd believes Finley can bring “a different element” to their offense. 

“I just believe in him, because he’s a very strong competitor,” said Boyd. “He had a real great preseason. All the guys seen it, and every guy in this locker room could admit to that. I feel like he could bring a different element to the table.”

• According to the Cincinnati Enquirer’s Tyler Dragon, the Bengals and WR A.J. Green remain far apart in contract talks. 

Browns

• Per Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal, Browns WR Odell Beckham said the groin injury he’s been dealing with is related to the hip injury he had during training camp. 
• Browns HC Freddie Kitchens mentioned DB Eric Murray was hurt in practice Wednesday and the team is evaluating his status. (Scott Petrak)
• Browns WR Jarvis Landry said he re-injured his shoulder against the Patriots: “But I’m fine. I’m good to go.” (Ulrich)
• The Browns worked out LB Nate Hall Wednesday. (Aaron Wilson)

Ravens

The story around Ravens QB Lamar Jackson all offseason was whether he would be able to improve enough as a passer to prevent teams from selling out to stop him as a runner. So far Jackson’s shown progress in that area, though it will be tested Sunday against the Patriots. 

“He’s throwing the ball better, that’s obvious,” an anonymous executive from a Ravens’ rival said via Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer. “You see his ability to create as a thrower—he’s more accurate than he was, he’s more comfortable in the offense. Last year, they put him out there, and threw off the run-game stuff. They’re letting him throw the ball now. But it’s still enabled by his speed. He’s so f—ing fast.”

• Ravens S Earl Thomas, who missed practice earlier this week with a knee injury, said he’ll play Sunday against New England. (Jeff Zrebiec)
• Thomas acknowledged he wasn’t 100 percent but he wasn’t passing up the opportunity to play against Patriots QB Tom Brady: “Going against a guy like Tom is a great challenge. You always want to go against a champion. It’s champion on champion, so I’m excited to go against him.” (Zrebiec)
• Ravens WR Willie Snead said he and the team have been discussing his one-year extension since training camp: “I was really excited. I wanted to be in Baltimore.” (Zrebiec)

Steelers

• According to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport, Steelers fourth-round rookie RB Benny Snell will miss two to three weeks following surgery to trim his meniscus. 
• Steelers LB Anthony Chickillo was removed from the commissioner’s exempt list.(NFLTR)
• Steelers waived OLB Jayrone Elliott. (NFLTR)