AFC Notes: Antonio Brown, Colts, Jaguars

Antonio Brown

• According to Pro Football Talk’s Chris Simms, he had a similar condition to Raiders WR Antonio Brown, who posted photos to social media showing the skin peel off the bottom off his foot, when he played for the Buccaneers. 
• Simms said it wasn’t blisters, but instead an “unidentified Buc fungus” that was causing him issues with his feet. Brown has missed most of training camp with the foot issue. 
• Later, a source with knowledge of the situation told Simms it wasn’t a fungus and that Brown had frostbite on his feet from undergoing cryotherapy treatment without the proper footwear. 
• However, Dr. David Chao believes a fungus is more likely, as the pictures Brown has posted don’t look like frostbite. Chao says it’s hard to get frostbite in a cryotherapy tank because the time is so short, and even if Brown were frostbitten, it would affect his toes more than the bottom of his feet where there’s better circulation. 

Colts

• Per 1070 The Fan’s Kevin Bowen, Colts OC Nick Sirianni has been impressed by veteran WR Chester Rogers: “I can’t say enough for him and the type of camp that he’s had. He’s competitive, right? I think we all know when he sees a guy (Parris Campbell) that comes in and wants his spot, and he’s saying (nope). He competes his butt off. He’s tough. He’s consistent. I love what he has done.”
• Sirianni added undrafted free agent TE Hale Hentges has been impressive and a comparison to TE Jack Doyle would be “fair.” Hentges was known as a blocker in college at Alabama, but has shown better-than-expected receiving skills so far: “I was joking with (S) George Odum yesterday ‘You guys can’t cover him in 1-on-1s. I think he’s undefeated.'”
• Colts WR Deon Cain hasn’t got a lot of run with the starters, but Sirianni says he’s still working back from his torn ACL: “It’s a confidence thing…. I think we are to that point where it’s starting to feel good and he’s starting to elevate and building confidence. It takes time, it does take time.”
• The Colts say DE Kemoko Turay hit a rookie wall last year, but DC Matt Eberflus has high hopes for the pass rusher in his second season: “A lot of times, the pass rushers really don’t come on until midway through their second, sometimes their third, year, if you look at the numbers. He has to keep on working, keep developing and we think the sky is the limit for him.”

Jaguars

Healthy and with renewed motivation after a rocky 2018 season, Jaguars RB Leonard Fournette is again expected to be the centerpiece of the Jacksonville offense. The third-year back is not only set to be the key to the rushing attack, but he’ll also play a major role in the passing game. 

“Every single day he’s catching balls in practice — every single day,” Jaguars QB Nick Foles said via the Athletic’s Phillip Heilman. “You’re always reading concepts and everything, but sometimes the matchup is on the running back versus a linebacker, or if you go through your progression and they cover it really well, you can check it down to a back like him and he can make a play. He’s a special back when you give him the ball.”

• Fifth-round QB Gardner Minshew is in the pole position for backup quarterback ahead of Tanner Lee and Alex McGough.
• Jaguars LB James Onwualu was carted off from practice with a right leg injury. He had been listed as a co-starter at outside linebacker. 
• Per HC Doug Marrone, the injury is “significant” and Onwualu is not expected back this season (Heilman)