AFC Notes: Bengals, Broncos, Dolphins, Ravens

Bengals

Bengals owner Mike Brown believes second-round RB Joe Mixon has put his college issues behind him.

“He’s a young guy. He turned 21. The incident that he was involved in was three years ago,” Brown said, via Katherine Terrell of ESPN. “He made a terrible mistake. He struck a young woman. He hurt her badly. It was a reflexive action in my mind, when I see the tape of it. I just think he acted without thought. But it was a terrible result.

“He’s here because he’s a good football player and because I think he’s a good enough guy to be here. We’re going to bet on him and I think it was a one-time thing. It’s up to him to prove that’s what it was. He’s going to be watched carefully forever more because of it. I think he will hold up. I really do. But only time will tell.”

• Geoff Hobson of the Bengals’ official site writes that first-round WR John Ross, who is recovering from shoulder surgery, is not expected to make his debut in practice for at least a “couple of weeks.“
• Hobson adds that “all indications” are that RB Giovani Bernard (ACL) and TE Tyler Eifert (back) could be available at the start of training camp on Friday.

Broncos

In addition to being general manager, the Broncos promoted John Elway to president of football operations.

“We’re football first here at the Broncos and obviously John is our leader of the team,” said Broncos president Joe Ellis said in a press release. “I think he is definitely deserving of this title elevation. It’s really a recognition that he deserves for all that he does and all that he has done for this team over the years since he arrived here in 1984.”

Dolphins

• Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports that the Dolphins plan to either trade for a defensive tackle or sign a free agent if fifth-round DT Davon Godchaux, Vincent Taylor, or veteran Nick Williams fail to produce as backups.
• Jackson lists Roy Miller, Sen’Derrick Marks, Dan Williams and Paul Soliai as free agent defensive tackles that the Dolphins could pursue.
• Jackson writes that second-year CB Xavien Howard has “improved significantly” in the offseason program and is the favorite to start opposite of CB Byron Maxwell.
• According to Jackson, the Dolphins will give recently acquired CB Alterraun Verner “every opportunity” to land the starting nickel back role over CB Bobby McCain. However, it’s still a possibility that Verner could fail to make the active roster if he is unable to earn a starting spot.
• Jackson expects RBs Damien Williams and Kenyan Drake to split time as RB Jay Ajayi‘s backup.

Ravens

• Field Yates reports that besides the Jets, the only one other team put a waiver claim in on WR Lucky Whitehead was the Ravens.